Bury councillor Glyn Marsden defects to Reform UK

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• Three-way fight goes to the wire in Gorton & Denton

  As polling day draws closer, the contest in Gorton & Denton appears to be a tight three-way race. Polling by Opinium Research, released on Tuesday evening, shows the Greens and Labour with a narrow lead, both sitting on 28%, with Reform just a point behind on 27%. Some will have already cast their vote through postal voting, but many will be heading to one of the 45 polling stations that are in the constituency.

• Teachers begin strike action at St Cuthbert’s High School over safety and staffing concerns

  Members of NASUWT at St Cuthbert’s RC High School in Rochdale have begun nine days of strike action in a dispute over staffing levels, safety and working conditions.

• ‘Dangerous predator’ from Rochdale jailed for abusing children

  A 23 year old Rochdale man has been sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison after admitting a series of sexual offences against children.

• More road closures to hit Prestwich – but the end could be in sight

  Prestwich will be affected by another eight-week road closure on Fairfax Road, developers and the council have confirmed. 

• Police roll out new electric bikes to tackle crime in Rochdale’s narrow streets

  Officers in Rochdale have been equipped with seven electric bikes as part of a push to improve response times and increase visibility in areas where patrol cars cannot easily reach.

• "I want to earn trust back in Politics": Hannah Spencer talking about the upcoming By-Election

  The Green Party candidate, Hannah Spencer, has spoken to Roch Valley Radio about the By-Election and her ambitions if she was to be elected on the 26th February, saying the election will be decided by "a handful of votes".

• Council leader’s column: Why Middleton’s regeneration and this year’s budget matter for our borough

  When I became leader of the council in 2021, I set out my vision for the borough, key priorities and the services local residents want and expect the council to deliver.

• Cafe near Old Trafford fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation and allergen breach

  A cafe close to Old Trafford has been fined more than £10,000 after environmental health officers found evidence of rats and uncovered a serious allergen failure during separate inspections.

• Great Howarth School celebrates expansion with official reopening

  Great Howarth School in Rochdale has officially reopened following a major expansion and refurbishment, welcoming families, staff and community leaders to mark the occasion.

• Rochdale council to begin search for new chief executive

  Rochdale Council is set to launch a recruitment process for a new chief executive following the resignation of James Binks at the end of last year.

• Sophie's family launch fundraiser for urgent hip operation abroad

  A local woman left housebound and in daily pain is facing further delays to a long awaited hip replacement, prompting her family to launch a public fundraiser to pay for private surgery overseas.

• Tottington councillor Luis McBriar to step down over new politically neutral job

  Tottington ward councillor Luis McBriar has announced he will step down from Bury Council as he prepares to take up a new job that requires political neutrality.