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Nigerian prince offers reward after his custom Chopper bike is stolen outside McDonald’s in Manchester

Wed, 30 May 2012 11:08:23 -0000

A Nigerian prince living in Manchester had his custom-made chopper bike stolen as he stopped to buy chips in McDonald's.

Roy Mbam, 42, was devastated to lose the chrome-look machine which was made as a one-off for him seven years ago.

Bury stab victims had been chased 'for seven miles' before they were attacked in crashed car

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:53:38 -0000

Eyewitnesses have described the horrific moment when three men were attacked and stabbed in their car after it crashed into a tree in Bury.

Fans walk out of Manchester Arena as Guns N' Roses gig goes on until 2.15am

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:49:57 -0000

Fans walked out of the Manchester Arena after rock giants Guns N' Roses kept them waiting for over an hour - and then played a set that went on until 2.15am.

Mum-of-two from Chadderton faces jail after she sold schoolgirl for sex

Wed, 30 May 2012 10:44:27 -0000

Manchester Crown Court heard that Leanne Gilder took £60 from kerb-crawler Michael Booth after he molested the 14-year-old in the back of his Transit van – and then took a call from him the following day when he asked if the child was ‘doing business’.

Droylsden shooting: Mark Short may have been killed in revenge attack

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:57:24 -0000

The shooting of amateur boxer Mark Short at a pub in Droylsden may have been a revenge attack.

Primary schools in Greater Manchester 'run out of spaces' as birth rate soars

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:53:13 -0000

Primary schools in Greater Manchester are having to draw up emergency plans to find places for four-and five-year-olds to meet an unprecedented surge in demand.

Diamond Jubilee: Hospitals call in extra doctors and nurses to cope with surge in drunken patients

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:27:51 -0000

Hospitals are bringing in extra doctors and nurses over the Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend – to deal with a surge in drunken patients.

More front-line staff will be drafted in at Central Manchester and Wythenshawe hospitals to ensure their A&E departments can cope with the demand.

Mario Balotelli: I'll walk off the pitch if racists target me at Euro 2012

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:11:31 -0000

Mario Balotelli intends to walk off the pitch if he is racially abused at Euro 2012 - and has claimed he would kill anyone who threw a banana at him in the street.

659 million people (that's one in ten of the world's population) support Manchester United, claims Reds survey

Wed, 30 May 2012 08:27:50 -0000

Manchester United have claimed that almost 10% of the world's entire population support Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

Ex-Coronation Street star Phil Middlemiss is declared bankrupt

Wed, 30 May 2012 08:23:00 -0000

Former Coronation Street star Philip Middlemiss, who played Des Barnes in the ITV1 soap, has been declared bankrupt, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Yobs vandalise baby boy's grave in Peel Green Cemetery for second time

Wed, 30 May 2012 07:42:37 -0000

Heartless yobs have vandalised the grave of a baby boy for the second time.

His mother visited Peel Green Cemetery in Eccles to find the headstone broken in half and turned upside down.

'Overcrowded' bee hives mean swarms of activity on Manchester streets

Wed, 30 May 2012 04:55:50 -0000

Swarms of honey bees are creating a buzz in Manchester – thanks to a hive shortage.

The M.E.N. has been inundated with sightings across the city, including one swarm in Piccadilly Gardens that had shoppers running for cover.

Diamond Jubilee: 500 street parties across Greater Manchester to mark Queen's 60 year reign

Tue, 29 May 2012 18:01:40 -0000

Manchester is gearing up for a 'weekend of a lifetime' of bank holiday events as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee draws nearer.

More than 500 street parties are expected to take place across the city over the bank holiday weekend as residents and community organisations prepare to party.

Roads reopen in Manchester after police talk down woman threatening to jump from Arndale centre

Tue, 29 May 2012 15:04:30 -0000

Police closed the High Street in central Manchester after reports that a woman was seen on the roof of the Arndale Centre car park but the route was reopened after officers talked her down.

Height of bravery: Woman traffic cop dragged motorist from Mercedes hanging over edge of 100ft Barton Bridge

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:34:38 -0000

Traffic police officer Sharon Price has been hailed a hero after she dragged a motorist from his burning Mercedes car as it hung over the edge of the 100ft Barton Bridge on the M60 motorway.

Mapped: 7,000 will be on their bikes for Great Manchester Cycle

Tue, 29 May 2012 13:34:28 -0000

Thousands of cyclists are saddling up for the first Great Manchester Cycle.

Major roads around the city – including the Mancunian Way – will be closed to give riders a unique tour of the city’s best-known landmarks.

Video: Davyhulme schoolkids are singing for England and Euro 2012

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:52:49 -0000

We've had New Order’s World In Motion and Three Lions – now a group of primary school children are hoping their own England anthems will score a hit with football fans.

Firefighters free 4-year-old girl who got her arm stuck in Altrincham pub chair

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:47:35 -0000

Hero firefighters made sure little Ruby Hindley was sitting pretty – after rescuing her from a chair.

The four-year-old had been enjoying a family meal at a pub when her arm became trapped in the chair’s back rest.

Three men stabbed and beaten as they lay injured in wreckage of crashed car in Bury

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:45:05 -0000

Three men were stabbed and battered with baseball bats as they lay injured in the wreckage of a crashed car on Radcliffe Road, Bury, early today.

From Rosie to royalty: Actress Helen Flanagan has a Kate Middleton makeover

Tue, 29 May 2012 11:21:10 -0000

Helen Flanagan, who played Rosie Webster on Coronation Street until earlier this year, has been given a Kate Middleton make-over. And as these stunning pictures show, she was clearly born to rule.

One in five Tameside mums admit they carried on smoking right through pregnancy

Tue, 29 May 2012 10:43:39 -0000

Up to one in five mothers in parts of Greater Manchester have admitted smoking at the time of giving birth.

Jailed: 71-year-old Rochdale pervert who made video of himself sexually abusing a baby girl

Tue, 29 May 2012 10:11:40 -0000

Pervert pensioner Arnold Sandilands, 71, of Rochdale, has been jailed after he made a sick video of himself sexually abusing a baby girl.

Anger as party killer who stabbed her boyfriend to death 'tags' his Facebook picture while on day release

Tue, 29 May 2012 09:06:38 -0000

Convicted killer Samantha Brown, who was locked up in 2010 for stabbing her boyfriend Dean Darvill to death at a party in Blackley, has angered his family after she posted a glamorous picture of herself on Facebook while on day release. The family discovered the snap after Brown 'tagged' herself on an old picture of Dean.

Two arrested over protest at Strangeways prison calling for release of gangster Domenyk Noonan

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:36:59 -0000

Two protesters campaigning for the release of gangster Domenyk Noonan have been arrested after a demonstration outside Strangeways prison.

Pictured in their hospital beds: Two couples aged over 60 knocked down 'like skittles' as they walked home from Eccles cabaret night

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:25:19 -0000

Two couples aged over 60 who were 'knocked down like skittles' by a hit-and-run driver as they walked home from a pub in Eccles have pleaded for help in catching the maniac driver as they recover from their injuries in hospital.

Droylsden shooting: CCTV reveals killer gunman was in pub for just 24 seconds

Tue, 29 May 2012 08:24:06 -0000

CCTV footage shows it took just 24 seconds for a gunman to enter a Droylsden pub, shoot dead amateur boxer Mark Short, and then leave the building again, the MEN can reveal.

Inmates give up rooftop protest at Buckley Hall prison in Rochdale after three hours

Tue, 29 May 2012 07:27:35 -0000

An investigation was under way today after prisoners staged a three-hour rooftop protest. The two inmates got on to the roof at HMP Buckley Hall prison in Rochdale and refused to come down.

Manchester City training ground to go green with butterflies, bees and dormice living among 6,000 imported trees

Tue, 29 May 2012 04:55:09 -0000

Butterflies, bees and dormice living among 6,000 imported trees at Manchester City's new training ground.

Patient watchdog puts Tameside hospital on critical list

Tue, 29 May 2012 04:55:08 -0000

Tameside Hospital was judged to be improving by Tameside Local Involvement Network (LINk), but found too many patients were still not getting the help they needed.

Metrolink bosses consider plans to run trams on train tracks

Tue, 29 May 2012 04:55:05 -0000

Transport bosses are keeping a close eye on a pioneering bid to run trams on train tracks in Yorkshire – amid hopes Metrolink could also hit the railways.

They plan to monitor the development of a £58m tram-train scheme in Sheffield which has been given the green light from government.

Conferences give £822m economy boost

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:01:55 -0000

Businesses were given an £822m boost last year thanks to a series of high profile conferences and events.

Peel Holdings to sell two key sites

Mon, 28 May 2012 23:01:54 -0000

Peel Holdings is to sell two key Trafford Park sites.

Salford shopkeeper caught selling fake Barbour coats faces £15k bill and 250 hours unpaid work

Mon, 28 May 2012 20:53:31 -0000

A shopkeeper has avoided jail after being caught with fake designer jackets. Wholesaler Mahesh Jain, 50, had knock-off Barbour coats at his Salford business.

Man aged 29 left fighting for life after brawl outside Millstone pub in Northern Quarter

Mon, 28 May 2012 18:01:14 -0000

A man who was attacked during a fight outside a city centre pub is fighting for his life in hospital.

The 29-year-old was punched once in the face outside the Millstone in the Northern Quarter.

Metrolink services suspended after power cable snaps and shatters tram drivers window

Mon, 28 May 2012 17:15:15 -0000

Stunned passengers described the moment a live electricity cable snapped and shattered a tram driver’s
window. The incident led to widespread Metrolink delays between Manchester city centre and Altrincham.

Find your girl and get her back! Judge orders dad from Rochdale who kidnapped daughter and took her to Pakistan and Iran

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:57:02 -0000

A dad who abducted his own daughter to Pakistan has been told by a judge to find her and bring her back to Britain.

Former insurance salesman Razwan Ali Anjum, of Ashton-under-Lyne, fled with his daughter Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson, five, on her third birthday in November 2009.

Pictures: Two injured as factory explosions spark huge fire in Littleborough

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:48:32 -0000

Firefighters are tackling a large fire in Littleborough, Rochdale, after an explosion was reported at a paint factory on Calderbrook Road.

Police fear over 'community triggers' that will force them to tackle Asbo yobs

Mon, 28 May 2012 16:24:32 -0000

Plans to give victims of yob behaviour the power to force cops to investigate are ‘like throwing a drowning man a brick’, say rank-and-file cops.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced last week that Manchester will trial new ‘community trigger’ proposals.

Four bailed after Mark Short fatally shot in Cotton Tree pub, Droylsden

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:41:18 -0000

Mark Short, 23, was gunned down in the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden by a lone masked gunman shortly before 11.50pm on Friday. A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Short died from a gunshot wound to the neck.

Pictured: Gordon Ramsay stretchered off as Robbie Williams and friends take to Old Trafford for Soccer Aid

Mon, 28 May 2012 15:01:01 -0000

It was supposed to be a friendly match for charity at Old Trafford but apparently nobody told Teddy Sheringham. The former Manchester United star barged celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to the floor in a crunching tackle during Soccer Aid 2012.

Spurned ex beat up love rival with frying pan in former girlfriend's Edgeley bedroom

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:56:09 -0000

A spurned lover confronted his ex and her new partner in bed – and then battered his rival with a frying pan.

Car valeter Martin Stokes went round to his former girlfriend’s address in Edgeley, Stockport, and repeatedly hit Darren Robinson with the makeshift weapon he had grabbed from the kitchen.

Pass it on: London 2012 Olympic torch relay is coming to Greater Manchester soon - mapped

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:22:27 -0000

Thousands of people will line the streets this week as the Olympic torch makes the first of two visits to Greater Manchester.

The torch will be carried through Warrington, Bolton and Wigan as it continues to make its journey across Britain on Thursday.

Woman, 52, found dead in caravan at Brinnington

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:10:44 -0000

Police are investigating after the body of a 52-year-old woman was found in a caravan in Brinnington. Police were called at midday on Friday to the caravan, which was parked at an address on Brinnington Road, by paramedics who found the body of the woman

Couple and three children from Wythenshawe arrested over money laundering as police recover £10k and Manchester United season tickets

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:41:14 -0000

A couple and their three children have been charged with money laundering offences after cash and football match tickets were seized by police during a house raid. More than £10,000 and a large number of tickets, including Manchester United season tickets, were found in January at a house in Wythenshawe.

Teenage pedestrian injured after VW Polo and taxi crash in Trafford Park

Mon, 28 May 2012 13:10:56 -0000

A teenager standing on a pedestrian island was hit by a car and seriously injured after it collided with a taxi.

Man aged 20 left fighting for life after hammer attack in Newton Heath

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:49:41 -0000

A man who was attacked by a thug armed with a hammer is fighting for his life in hospital.

The 20-year-old suffered serious head injuries and his condition was described by police as critical.

Rochdale council still hopes to land £100k ‘Portas Pilot’ cash

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:45:08 -0000

Traders and council bosses say they have not given up hope of winning ‘Portas Pilot’ cash to spruce up their town centre.

The government announced last week that Rochdale will not be handed £100,000 – and advice from its shopping tsar, Mary Portas – to help drum up trade.

Pictured: Driver's 'miracle' escape as Mercedes is left hanging over edge of 100ft Barton Bridge

Mon, 28 May 2012 12:18:23 -0000

This is the crashed Mercedes car from which a motorist had a ‘miracle’ escape after it was left dangling over the edge of the Barton Bridge on the M60 motorway – and a 100-ft drop into the Manchester Ship Canal.

Partying like it's 1982: Northern Quarter marks 30th birthday of Afflecks Palace

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:46:33 -0000

Hundreds flocked to a street party to celebrate the 30th birthday of Affleck's shopping emporium in the Northern Quarter.

I'm not a pimp, says woman accused of 'selling' 16-year-old girl to a builder for sex

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:35:40 -0000

A woman accused of ‘selling’ a schoolgirl to a builder for sex broke down after telling a jury: “I’m not a pimp – I’m not a monster.” Leanne Gilder, 26, of Radcliffe Street, Chadderton, is alleged to have organised for the 14-year-old to be molested by Michael Booth after ‘softening her up’ with booze and crack cocaine.

Drink-fuelled violence is now 'normal' in Greater Manchester's town centres, says police chief

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:07:22 -0000

Ian Hopkins, deputy chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said 24-hour drinking laws has increased booze-fuelled violence and that the problem is now the norm in some towns across the region.

Snapper Sean Hansford named photographer of the year at newspaper 'Oscars'

Mon, 28 May 2012 11:05:22 -0000

Sean Hansford, who takes pictures for MEN Media titles including the Rochdale Observer, has been named Weekly Photographer of the Year at the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards.

Huge fire closes Lower Hillgate in Stockport town centre

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:48:47 -0000

A huge fire turned the centre of Stockport into a no-go zone today.

Four injured as hit-run driver ploughs into them on Liverpool Road pavement

Mon, 28 May 2012 10:04:49 -0000

A group of four friends aged in their 60s and 70s were seriously injured when a car ploughed into them as they stood on a pavement at Liverpool Road, Peel Green, and then drove away.

Coronation Street wins best soap at TV Baftas as Fred West drama scoops three awards

Mon, 28 May 2012 09:49:51 -0000

A drama made in Manchester about serial killer Fred West was the biggest winner at the TV Baftas tonight, scooping three awards, and there was also success for Coronation Street which won the award for best soap.

Keeping mum: Manchester mechanic took his nuclear mission secret to the grave

Mon, 28 May 2012 09:42:11 -0000

Amazing documents revealing how ordinary Mancunians were to be given top secret jobs if the city came under nuclear attack have been unearthed.

The dossier, marked ‘secret’, was found by the family of businessman Jack Barber following his death.

Railways could be taken over by Greater Manchester transport chiefs under devolution plan

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:27:00 -0000

Greater Manchester is set to take control of the region’s railways – in an historic move that promises better trains, more carriages and improved services for passengers.

Step back in time: Backwards runnning winner completes a mile in under 7 minutes in Heaton Park reverse race

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:13:20 -0000

Runners took part in a race with a difference – by completing a one mile course jogging backwards. More than 150 runners took part in the race, which is in its third year, at Heaton Park.

Our hero: 14 children flee Swinton house blaze after eight-year-old Amy raises the alarm

Mon, 28 May 2012 08:08:53 -0000

Eight-year-old Amy O'Toole is being hailed a hero after she raised the alarm on a devastating house fire in Swinton and then helped her mum round up 13 other children and four adults to help them escape the blaze.

Celebrity Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford raises £4m for Unicef

Sun, 27 May 2012 22:01:24 -0000

Robbie Williams' England side beat a team of Hollywood A-listers and football legends 3-1 in the fourth Soccer Aid at Manchester's Old Trafford stadium, raising £4m for charity.

He was taken from us by cowards: Family's anguish over pub shooting death of young dad Mark Short

Sun, 27 May 2012 17:34:56 -0000

Relatives of Mark Short, who was shot dead in a Droylsden pub, have paid tribute to the 23-year-old dad, saying "his memory will be love in our hearts forever".

Madlab scientists invited to advise the FBI on DIY biology

Sun, 27 May 2012 16:15:30 -0000

Two amateur biologists based at Madlab, a technology group based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, have been asked attend a conference in California to explain their ‘do-it-yourself’ science techniques to the FBI.

Enjoy it while it lasts: Heatwave to last into Monday before cooler weather in Greater Manchester

Sun, 27 May 2012 15:58:27 -0000

Enjoy it while it lasts, the scorching heatwave is set to last one more day before cooler conditions return to Greater Manchester.

Runners raise £100,000 for cancer research in Race for Life at Woodbank Park

Sun, 27 May 2012 15:07:25 -0000

Almost 2,000 women runners laced up their shoes to race and raise £100,000 for cancer research in the Race of Life event at Woodbank Park in Offerton, Stockport, today.

I did my best, says Engelbert Humperdinck after he finishes second-to-last in Eurovision song contest

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:54:14 -0000

Engelbert Humperdinck said he "did the best for my country" at the Eurovision Song Contest after the UK's hopes of breaking its competition curse came crashing down when the veteran crooner scraped into last-but-one place.

Droylsden shooting: Gunman shot dead Mark Short, 23, at pool table in Cotton Tree pub

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:49:40 -0000

A masked gunman opened fire in a crowded pub and killed a 23-year-old man. Mark Short was shot dead at the Cotton Tree Inn on Market Street, Droylsden, on Friday night. Three other people were taken to hospital for treatment to gunshot wounds.

Pedestrian, 55, dies after he is hit by taxi in Ashton-under-Lyne

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:22:30 -0000

A 55-year-old man has died in hospital after he was hit by a private hire taxi on Albion Way, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Family's anger as runaway pregnant teenager escapes from police car bringing her home

Sun, 27 May 2012 14:16:41 -0000

A pregnant teenager is on the run after escaping from a police car bringing her back home to Greater Manchester when the car stopped at Newport Pagnell service station on the M1 motorway.

Restraint by bouncers at Deansgate Locks bar 'played significant role' in death of Julian Webster, jury rules

Sun, 27 May 2012 13:54:18 -0000

The restraint by bouncers of 24-year-old clubber Julian Webster on a night out in Manchester's Deansgate Locks played a ‘significant role’ in his death, a jury has ruled.

Incredible escape of driver, 20, trapped in burning Mercedes hanging over edge of 100ft Barton Bridge

Sun, 27 May 2012 10:26:39 -0000

A 20-year-old motorist had an incredible escape after his Mercedes crashed on the 100ft high Barton Bridge while driving on the M60 motorway, burst into flames and ended up hanging over the precipice. Police and fire crews used winches to pull him to safety early this morning.

Droylsden pub shooting: Four arrested over death of 23-year-old Mark Short

Sun, 27 May 2012 09:18:30 -0000

Three men and a woman have been arrested by detectives investigating the death of 23-year-old Mark Short, who was gunned down at a birthday party in a packed pub in Droylsden.

Mourners flee funeral after fire breaks out at Blackley crematorium

Sat, 26 May 2012 11:00:58 -0000

Mourners had to flee a funeral after a fire broke out at Blackley Crematorium in Manchester. It is believed the furnace doors failed to close properly during the service, sending smoke billowing into the chapel.

Portas Pilot cash 'will start revival' of High Street shopping in Stockport

Sat, 26 May 2012 10:52:02 -0000

The £100,000 awarded to Stockport under the Portas Pilot scheme will not revive the town's High Street on its own, but is a huge symbolic step in the right direction, say campaigners.

Stockport wins £100,000 share of Portas Pilot cash to revive High Street

Sat, 26 May 2012 09:58:13 -0000

Stockport has beaten hundreds of rivals for a pot of government cash to revive its struggling high streets.

The town is one of just 12 places nationwide to be picked as a Portas Pilot town – a government scheme inspired by retail guru Mary Portas.

She was a loving and caring mum: Tributes to Breightmet lorry crash victim Dawn Graves

Sat, 26 May 2012 09:52:37 -0000

The family of Dawn Graves, the young woman who died after being hit by a lorry in Breightmet as she pushed her son in his pram, have paid tribute to 'loving and caring mum.'

What a fuel! Motorists stranded as blundering tanker driver puts diesel into the petrol pumps at Sainsbury's in Salford

Sat, 26 May 2012 08:18:22 -0000

Dozens of motorists were left stranded at the roadside after a blundering tanker driver put diesel into a petrol storage tank at Sainsbury's on Regent Road, Salford, meaning they filled up with the wrong type of fuel.

Woman from Wythenshawe jailed after letting her two Staffordshire bull terriers starve to death

Sat, 26 May 2012 04:55:16 -0000

A woman who let her two Staffordshire Bull terriers starve to death in an empty house has been jailed for four months.

Rachael Stanley, 25, abandoned her home in Wythenshawe after breaking up with her partner.