Middleton Guardian - RSS Feed

Middleton man who ‘grew cannabis to ease wife’s pain from arthritis’ sentenced to community service

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:39:50 -0000

A pensioner has admitted growing cannabis in his garden shed, so the drug could be used to ease his wife’s crippling arthritis.

Malcolm Taylor, 66, mixed resin from the plants with butter to give to his wife Nina, 61, after conventional drugs failed to alleviate her pain.

'Natural causes' death of guard who collapsed ejecting youth

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:01:04 -0000

A security guard who collapsed whilst trying to eject a teenager from a shopping centre died of natural causes.

Fab four The Mend lose out to dancing dog on Britain's Got Talent ... again

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:01:02 -0000

Alkrington rapper Kris Evans and his band The Mend proved to the nation they’ve got talent – but it still wasn’t enough to beat a dancing dog.

Blue plaque honour for Basil D'Oliveira - legend of cricket club and equal rights

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:01:01 -0000

Middleton Cricket Club has unveiled its own lasting tribute to the life of cricketing legend Basil D’Oliveira.

Drain thieves cost taxpayers £12,840 for just £5 profit

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:42:19 -0000

Thieves have taken 120 drain covers from roads across the borough since January.

Tax payers have been left with a £12,840 bill after scrap metal raiders swiped the covers since the start of the year.

New council head will seek prosperous future

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:20 -0000

The new man in charge at Rochdale town hall says he is ‘totally committed’ to creating a ‘prosperous and harmonious’ borough.

Not Aloud - Kris and The Mend out of Britain's Got Talent

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:19 -0000

Middleton rapper Kris Evans has been voted off Britain's Got Talent.

Police launch hunt for robber after woman's ordeal

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:17 -0000

Detectives hunting a robber who confronted a woman in her own living room have issued this e-fit of the suspect.

Police arrest 15 in crime crackdown

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:16 -0000

Police have arrested 15 people in Middleton and Blackley in a crackdown on burglary.

Jail for rapist who attacked unconscious victim in flat

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:00:12 -0000

A rapist who locked a teenager in his flat and attacked her whilst she was unconscious has been caged for eight years and six months.

Sister act: Sasha turns midwife in Middleton to deliver nephew

Mon, 07 May 2012 13:49:39 -0000

When mum-to-be Tamara Quine went into labour in the middle of the night, she knew she wasn’t going to reach hospital in time.

So her big sister Sacha turned midwife – and delivered the baby on the living room floor.

Local elections 2012: Labour increases majority in Rochdale council with 19-year-old councillor

Fri, 04 May 2012 10:18:51 -0000

Rochdale returned one of the country's youngest councillors as Labour strengthed its grip on the Town Hall.

Liam O'Rourke won the Heywood North seat for Labour aged 19 years, eight months and 13 days.

Cocaine smuggler from Middleton serving nine years in Peru prison speaks of his 'regret'

Thu, 03 May 2012 12:21:35 -0000

A father-of-two jailed for nine years in Peru for drug smuggling has spoken of his regret from behind bars.

Dexter Elliott was sentenced alongside friend Kevin Fowler for attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the south American country.

Rare festival tribute aims to strike chord with music lovers

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:01:06 -0000

Festival goers can pick up a piece of music history at next week's Peter Cowap tribute gig.

Work starts on £75,000 new theatre

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:01:05 -0000

Work has begun on a new £75,000 community theatre for the town.

Quiz champ loses brave battle with brain tumour

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:01:03 -0000

A popular pub quiz champion has died after a losing his battle against a brain tumour.

Delays on M60 after an HGV trailer overturns near Blackley

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:53:49 -0000

Rush hour motorists are facing miles of queuing traffic after an HGV trailer overturned near Junction 20 of the M60 near Blackley.

Drivers are being diverted off as emergency and recovery services work to clear the road.

Jailed: Patients’ champion Paul Mainwaring funded champagne lifestyle with swindled NHS cash

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:21:25 -0000

A patient’s champion lived a champagne lifestyle paid for by cash he swindled from the NHS.

Health consultant Paul Mainwaring, 65, pocketed £68,000 of money from NHS Trusts through a VAT scam.

Hopwood Hall College says half of its staff face redundancy

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:21:11 -0000

More than half of the workforce at Hopwood Hall College have been told that they face redundancy. The college, which has 604 staff on campuses in Rochdale and Middleton, has told 324 people that they are 'at risk'.

Out of these 324 staff it is likely that 40 will be made redundant following a 90-day consultation period which began yesterday.

Relatives warn of mini-moto dangers after death of 18-year-old Lee Wilson in Chadderton Hall Park crash

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:06:48 -0000

The heartbroken family of a teenager who was killed after crashing his mini-motorbike are warning about the dangers of the machines.

Lee Wilson, 18, from Blackley, Manchester, died after the smash at Chadderton Hall Park in Oldham.

Live - Rochdale council meeting

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:06:04 -0000

Rochdale councillors will gather on Wednesday night for their final meeting before this year's elections - we'll have live coverage here from 6.15pm.

The borough's 60 representatives are set to discuss moves to withdraw a controversial planning document that would see green belt land offered to developers and the establishment a new shadow health and wellbeing board.

Police hunt man who sexually assaulted woman in car at Birch services on M62 motorway

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:24:00 -0000

A woman was sexually assaulted inside her car at a motorway service station.

The woman was on the car park at Birch Services in Middleton when she was approached by a man who asked if he could take photographs of her. She refused but he used his mobile phone to take a series of pictures.

'Loveable rogue' Lee Wilson dies after crashing motorbike in Chadderton Hall Park

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:18:59 -0000

A teenager has died after a motorbike he was riding hit a metal barrier in a park. Lee Francis Wilson, 18, from Blackley, suffered serious chest injuries in the collision at Chadderton Hall Park, Oldham. He was taken to hospital but died later.

Old folk given 48 hours to quit Blackley nursing home before it closed

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:22:46 -0000

Frail pensioners were kicked out of a nursing home with less than 48 hours’ notice after bosses were unable to pay debts of £140,000.

Families of the 16 residents of Peace Haven Nursing Home in Blackley, Manchester, were stunned when the owners said they needed to close immediately.

Comedian Steve Coogan facing ban from driving

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:16:42 -0000

Alkrington-raised comedian Steve Coogan could face a driving ban for failing to tell police who was speeding in his car.

The 46-year-old's lawyers told a court he intends to plead guilty to failing to provide the driver's identity.

Heart patient's debt of gratitude to doctors who saved his life

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:13:52 -0000

A great-grandfather who almost died after collapsing at home has returned to hospital to thank doctors who saved his life.

John Farrell, 73, was diagnosed with a life-threatening leaking artery after falling ill at his Middleton home in January.

Jailed: Blackley pervert who photographed himself abusing young victim

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:02:39 -0000

A paedophile who photographed himself abusing one of his victims has been locked up.

Michael Monaghan preyed on three young girls before one of them reported it to her mother.

Hundreds wait for operations as trust misses targets again

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:56 -0000

The trust which runs North Manchester General Hospital is still missing waiting time targets for surgery.

New chapter as work begins on 14-week library makeover

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:54 -0000

Work has now begun on a 14-week project to refurbish the town’s main library on Long Street.

Council chiefs vow to match Portas cash

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:53 -0000

Town hall bosses have vowed to match the money Rochdale will receive if it is selected as a Portas Pilot.

£9,000 benefits cheat who could 'barely walk' is filmed hurdling his garden fence in Blackley

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:51:40 -0000

John Deeds, 44, was awarded a high rate of disability living allowance on the grounds he was barely mobile – and even needed help getting out of bed -but investigators filmed him breaking into a jog and hurdling a garden fence at his home in Blackley, Manchester.

Jailed: Middleton pair who emptied £6k from phone boxes across Northumbria and Cumbria

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:07:47 -0000

Two men from Greater Manchester were part of a gang who stole £6,500 as they emptied 24 telephone kiosks in a series of raids.

The criminals – sometimes posing as visiting golfers complete with clubs in their car boot – headed from Middleton to Tyneside to stage their spree last summer.

Woman jailed after stun guns and gas canisters found at her drugs factory home in Blackley

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:39:26 -0000

Scores of stun guns and gas canisters were found at a drugs factory hidden in a woman’s quiet suburban home.

Drugs on ‘an industrial scale’ were discovered when cops raided Michelle Deans’ rented detached house.

The next brief: Mary Portas wants to sell her made-in-Middleton knickers to the world

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:14:36 -0000

Mary Portas has revealed plans to export undies made in a Middleton lingerie factory after a huge response to her TV experiment.

The retail guru launched her campaign to reignite the British clothing industry by re-opening production of high-quality ladies’ knickers at Headen and Quarmby.

'Human error' blamed for rape DNA test blunder

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:54 -0000

A blunder by a forensic science company which led to a teenager being wrongly accused of rape was due to human error.

Conflict looms as council staff vote to strike

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:54 -0000

Council staff are set to go on strike over the summer.

Town hall workers have voted to take industrial action over plans to change their terms and conditions and to take six days unpaid leave each year.

Unions threaten action in bid to save hospital jobs

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:53 -0000

Unions have not ruled out 'collective action' to ensure there are no compulsory redundancies at the Pennine Acute Trust (PAT).

Games store closes as administrator called in

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 07:00:52 -0000

Town centre video game retailer Game Station closed on Monday after bosses called in the administrators.

Raider armed with axe robs cash box from security guard at Sainsbury's near to Heaton Park

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:02:24 -0000

An axe-wielding robber stole a 'substantial' amount of money in a cash-in-transit raid on a supermarket car park.

Security staff were taking away money from the Sainsbury's store close to Heaton Park when they were approached by a dark-clothed, balaclava-clad man who was holding the weapon.

Shame of Moston war hero arrested for having axe near home of ex-lover

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 07:27:08 -0000

A war hero has spoken of his devastation at tarnishing his good name after police arrested him for having an axe and a knife outside his former girlfriend’s home.

Stephen ‘Baz’ Bardsley, who won three bravery medals during a distinguished career, said he parked outside the woman’s Swinton home in a bid to get back £900 he claimed she owed him. But the 54-year-old retired paratrooper, who is also a champion bodybuilder, ended up in handcuffs after his ex-lover called police and said he had the weapons in his Land Rover.

Crook with 17 aliases is banned from changing his name and jailed

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:59:49 -0000

A conman who used 17 different names to swindle nearly £300,000 of goods and cash from companies has been given a landmark ban on changing his name.

John Deeds, 44, formerly of Rosewood Road, Blackley, duped big businesses into giving him credit by claiming to head a string of successful companies.

Detective vows to seek justice for rape victim

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:19 -0000

A senior detective has vowed to carry on the hunt for a brutal rapist – after the case against a suspect dramatically collapsed. The victim had been raped in Plant Hill Park, Blackley in October – and DNA evidence from the scene led police to think they had found the culprit.

Cuts force services for elderly to be axed

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:00:18 -0000

A charity is to stop running lifeline services for the elderly after the council cut its cash. Age UK will axe the day care session it holds once a week at D'Oliveira Court at the end of the month.

'Horrendous ordeal' of man tied up and attacked in Middleton

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:48:02 -0000

A gang attacked a man from behind, hitting him over the head and leaving him tied up in the street.

The brutal assault happened at about 2am last Saturday on Hollin Lane, Middleton.

The bottom line: Mary Portas opens a knicker factory in Middleton for new TV show

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:06:00 -0000

For her latest project, retail guru Mary Portas wants to revive clothing manufacturing in Britain. So she’s opened a knicker factory in Middleton. A pants idea? David Henry checks out the bottom line

Injured patients to get break from specialist hospital unit

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:01:33 -0000

Patients from Middleton and north Manchester with badly broken bones who need emergency surgery are to benefit from a new specialist trauma and orthopaedics centre.

Middleton Masterchef contestant to launch eaterie

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:01:32 -0000

A company director from Langley is launching his own restaurant after cooking his final dish on the hit TV show Masterchef. Jay Tinker made it through to the final four of the prestigious BBC1 cooking contest.

Citizens' Advice Bureau closes its doors

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:01:30 -0000

Middleton's Citizen's Advice Bureau will close for the final time next week. The advice service will hold its last drop-in surgery at their Milton Street office on Wednesday (March 21).

Anger of man falsely accused of rape after DNA sample blunder

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:01:29 -0000

A teenager who spent months behind bars wrongly accused of rape after a DNA blunder has spoken of his 'relief, anger and disgust' after the charge was dropped.

We help dying father from Blackley with weeks to live track down long-lost son

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 09:08:27 -0000

A dad with only six weeks to live was today set to be reunited with his long-lost son – thanks to the M.E.N.

David Protano issued a heartbreaking plea in yesterday’s paper after doctors told him he will die from cancer within weeks. He has not seen his son Jason for more than two decades and is desperate for one last meeting.

Plane-spotting pooches are barking mad for trip to Manchester Airport

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:20:26 -0000

Border collies Billy and Sam are obsessed with aircraft – and howl every time they hear a jet soar through the skies.

Owners Keith, 41, and Elizabeth Wellens, 43, were stunned by their bizarre antics, which they first noticed three years ago.

Langley lad Jay Tinker cooks up a storm on Masterchef

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:46 -0000

A company director from Langley is impressing viewers and judges on TV’s Masterchef. Jay Tinker has made it to the final four of the prestigious BBC cooking competition after cooking for culinary greats such as Michel Roux Jr and a Thai prince.

US clinic offers hope to Middleton boy, 8, with chronic lung condition

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:45 -0000

An eight-year-old boy with a chronic lung condition has received a boost from a specialist clinic in America. The clinic has carried out new tests on James Cheetham for his condition bronchiectasis, which is similar to cystic fibrosis.

Have your say on Middleton Gardens revamp

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:44 -0000

Eighteen months ago 1,500 people signed a petition calling for Middleton Gardens to be returned to its former glory. They demanded the town centre be revamped with a design that paid homage to the floral gardens of the 1930s – once the pride of Middleton.

Party time as £2m Middleton Gardens development is officially opened

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:43 -0000

Middleton's new £2m gardens have been officially unveiled. A day of celebrations were held on Saturday (March 2) to celebrate the completion of the new town centre gardens 10 months after work began.

£2,500 snatched as three Middleton clubs are raided

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:00:41 -0000

Three working men's clubs were targeted by thieves in five days last week. Police believe the raids on Millbeck, Hebers and Woodside clubs could be linked.

Blackley dad with six weeks to live in final plea to find long-lost son

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:25:54 -0000

A dad with just weeks to live has made an emotional plea to find his long-lost son.

David Protano, 59, has been told he will die in less than six weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He has not seen son Jason for more than 20 years and said his final wish is to be reunited.

Manchester City fans banned from football grounds for five years after derby day fracas in Hulme

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 11:04:55 -0000

A group of Manchester City fans escaped prison but were slapped with match banning orders after a ‘deplorable’ pub brawl with United supporters.

Paul Valente, Stephen Walsh and Thomas Waterhouse will not be able to see Roberto Mancini’s men – or any other match in the country – for five years for their part in a post-derby fracas which saw £1,500 of damage caused to Hulme’s Czech Bar.

BAE Chadderton - home of the Lancaster bomber - closes its doors for the final time

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:07:38 -0000

Work at BAE's sprawling Chadderton plant, which opened when war broke out in 1939, came to an emotional halt yesterday after the loss of a government contract spelled the end of the production line.

160 jobs to go at Pennine Acute NHS health trust after drop in surgery

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:32:43 -0000

The Pennine Acute NHS Trust (PAT), which runs services at Rochdale Infirmary, Royal Oldham, North Manchester Generla and Fairfield hospitals, is to cut up to 160 jobs due to a drop in minor surgery over the past 12 months.

As a result the PAT will receive £21m less income next year as doctors are no longer referring non-urgent procedures such as varicose vein removal, joint injections and extraction of wisdom teeth.

Thugs armed with sword steal cash from Aldi supermarket in Middleton

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:22:58 -0000

Two thugs armed with a sword stole cash from a supermarket in Middleton.

The men - who demanded cash from a member of staff who was serving a customer - struck at the Aldi, Eastway, at around 7.30pm yesterday. They took cash from a till before running out of the store.

End of era as BAE factory is grounded

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:11 -0000

The curtain is set to fall on Middleton's aerospace industry tomorrow (Friday, March 2). Workers will leave BAE's Greengate plant for the final time tomorrow lunch time.

Opening doors to future in industry

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:10 -0000

Skills minister John Hayes is heading to Middleton to officially open Hopwood Hall College’s new technology centre, which runs courses in manufacturing engineering, electronic engineering, motor vehicle studies, electrical installation, carpentry and joinery and brickwork.

Charity’s work puts TV drama behind bars

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:04 -0000

A charity based in Blackley has been the inspiration for a BBC TV drama. Partners of Prisoners looks after families of offenders and supports them when their loved ones are in jail.

We’re backing bid to bring high street to life again

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:03 -0000

The Guardian is backing a bid which could see the borough pioneer a move to breathe life back into our high streets. We believe the birthplace of co-operation should once again be at the forefront of a retail revolution.

Details of British Vita homes regeneration scheme to go on view

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:03 -0000

Consultation on a scheme which could see a forgotten corner of Middleton transformed will get under way this weekend. Town hall bosses want to regenerate land around the British Vita site off Oldham Road and turn it into a major new residential and recreation area.

Room full of cannabis was concealed behind mirror in Blackley house

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:53:30 -0000

A cannabis farm with more than 100 plants has been found hidden behind a mirror in a cellar.

Police swooped on the house on Hill Lane, Blackley, Manchester, and uncovered cannabis plants in the basement. They also discovered a false mirrored panel concealing a hidden room containing another 100 plants.

Security guard struck by hammer as he collected cash from Middleton off-licence

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:52:43 -0000

The victim, 43, was followed into the Spar on Stanycliffe Lane, Middleton, by two men who demanded money.

One hit him over the head, striking him on the helmet he was wearing, before both escaped with cash. The raid happened at 9.55am on Sunday.

Middleton MP Jim Dobbin under fire for backing campaign opposing gay marriage

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:24:47 -0000

Middleton’s MP has come under fire after backing a campaign to oppose gay marriage.

Bus firm gives fire-hit mill new lease of life

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:44 -0000

An historic mill wrecked by fire is set for a new lease of life.

Angry GPs fear shake-up poses major threat to future of NHS

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:43 -0000

Middleton's GPs have joined a chorus of condemnation against the proposed shake-up of the NHS.

Going the extra mile puts Rob on road to top cop honour

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:42 -0000

A police officer whose patch covers Moorclose and Junction has been highly commended for his achievements at a prestigious ceremony.

Legend keeping folk music alive for six decades

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:41 -0000

Pictured are just some of the albums Rhodes’ record producer Bill Leader has put together over the last 60 years.

Parents fear cash hurdle will bring down star athlete

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:39 -0000

The out-of-work parents of one of the country's top young athletes fear the economic crisis could scupper his dreams.

£2m Middleton Gardens development complete at last

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:00:38 -0000

Middleton's revamped town centre is set to be officially unveiled next weekend.

Fireball horror: Trainee chef douses himself in fuel and sets it alight at Middleton petrol station

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 07:40:37 -0000

Stunned motorists and petrol station staff saw the boy, 17, pour about a litre of fuel on to his clothing.

Two men ran towards him and tackled him to the ground to smother the flames.

Stars of the future show that Middleton's Got Talent

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:27 -0000

Stars of the future took to the stage during a talent show at Middleton Arena.

Middleton model recreates iconic 'kiss' image

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:26 -0000

A Middleton model has helped recreate of the most romantic images of all time in the heart of Manchester.

Inquest hears how children found man's remains

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:25 -0000

The skeletal remains of a dad who had been missing for almost nine months, were found by children on waste land, an inquest was told.

BBC award for folk music legend Bill Leader

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:24 -0000

A record producer from Middleton who has helped launch the careers of some of folk music’s biggest names has been honoured by his peers.

From Langley to London: Val eyes top political post

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:22 -0000

A woman who was born and raised on the Langley estate may soon become one the most powerful politicians in the country.

20 years on - and town's tapestry still has no home

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:21 -0000

It's 20 years since work began on Middleton’s answer to the Bayeux tapestry – and those involved are still waiting for it to go on permanent display.

Hero dad fights off burglars while kids hid in bedroom

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 08:00:20 -0000

Lorry driver Daniel Carter tackled the two thieves when they broke into his house after throwing a lump of concrete through a glass kitchen door.

Jailed: Homeless man who tried to steal cable from 130ft pylon in Middleton

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:30:01 -0000

A homeless drug addict who risked death by taking cable from a 130ft electricity pylon has been jailed for three years. Desmond Brady, 43, was part of a gang that tried to steal wire carrying a lethal 275,000 volts.

Mascot, 8, from Rochdale ends up at centre of Evra-Suarez handshake storm

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 09:00:16 -0000

Team mascot Harry Bullows was standing next to Manchester United captain Patrice Evra as he was snubbed by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez.

Suarez shook Harry’s hand before Manchester United’s ill-tempered match with Liverpool but then refused to shake hands with Evra.

Count me out: Girlfriend of ‘fake duke’ Scott Travis says she'll never forgive him after conning her TWICE

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:17:56 -0000

Serial trickster Travis, jailed for the second time after tricking an elderly man out of his life savings, told his victim he was the son of an Italian duke.

In fact he was living off benefits in a Middleton flat with his long-term partner, Gail Heyworth. She too believed he was an Italian aristocrat – and incredibly had already taken him back after he defrauded her in 2004.

Jobless Middleton crook Scott Travis jailed for conning OAP out of £100k by posing as Italian aristocrat

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:13 -0000

Scott Travis, 44, of Middleton, pretended to be the heir to an Italian millionairess and claimed he was set to inherit £1.7m from his mother's will to con a vulnerable pensioner out of his £100,000 life savings.

Middleton house death victim Edward Worton, 31, had just become dad to twins after IVF battle

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 19:27:09 -0000

A man killed at a house in Middleton had recently become a father for the first time. Edward Mark Worton died from serious head injuries following an incident in Lower Bamford Close, Cheapside, on Friday afternoon.

Shield for ‘green lung’ is shelved

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:47 -0000

A document that protected Middleton's last remaining 'green lung' from the developers looks set to scrapped. Planning chiefs at Rochdale council drafted a 160-page dossier setting out how the borough would grow over the next 15 years.

Focusing on all action Squirrel

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:46 -0000

Viewers were warned ‘don’t try this at home’ as Middleton rollerblader ‘The Flying Squirrel’ showed off his moves on the ITV breakfast show Daybreak.

Waste plant waiting for green light

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:44 -0000

A plan which will allow a waste and recycling facility to be built in Rhodes is set to be rubber stamped this month. A proposal to build a plant on Rhodes Business Park, on Manchester Old Road, forms part of the Greater Manchester Joint Waste Development Plan.

Ordeal of great gran falsely accused of being a shoplifter

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:41 -0000

A great-grandmother was frogmarched out of a town centre store after being falsely accused of shoplifting. Kathleen Hulme, 80, was confronted by the store manager as she browsed the aisles in Superdrug in Middleton Shopping Centre.

‘Week of reckoning’ helps clamp down on burglars

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:00:36 -0000

Police have capped the rise in burglary in Middleton with the latest crime figures also showing a drop in all other major areas. Last year' annual crime figures from April 2010 to March 2011 showed that burglary had peaked making it a top priority for the neighbourhood team.