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Main route from south Manchester into city centre closed after Levenshulme fire

Wed, 16 May 2012 07:32:04 -0000

Motorists are facing rush-hour chaos today after a fire closed down part of Kingsway in Levenshulme.

The main route into the city from South Manchester is shut between Moseley Road and Kingswood Road after the blaze broke out in a flat at 4.15am.

Stuart Horner jailed for shooting dead his uncle Ian Taylor in Wythenshawe car park after row over flat-pack shed

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:31:40 -0000

A man has been jailed for 27 years for blasting his uncle to death in a 'cold-blooded execution' following a row over a flat-pack shed.

Ian Taylor, 44, was shot in the chest with a sawn-off shotgun as he sat in a car at Floatshall Road, Baguley, on the evening in June last year.

Man arrested after home-made parking tickets are super-glued to cars on Hulme street

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:23:45 -0000

A man has been arrested after home-made parking tickets were super-glued to cars parked outside his home.

Hakeem Abdullah spent yesterday in the cells after police swooped on his home on Fairlawn Close in Hulme. Officers seized his computer and printer.

Man aged 62 arrested in murder probe after woman's body found at house in Baguley

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:33:44 -0000

A 62-year-old man was being questioned on suspicion of murder today after a woman was found dead in a house.

The body of the woman, thought to be in her 50s, was discovered at a house on Wendon Road in Baguley, Wythenshawe.

'Heroic achievements' theme for Manchester Day parade on June 10

Thu, 10 May 2012 07:24:46 -0000

The sky’s the limit as the city prepares to celebrate its heroes in a Manchester Day to remember.

City chiefs have revealed plans for the third annual parade, which will take place on June 10. Some 50,000 people are expected to watch and take part in the spectacular, which this year celebrates heroic achievements.

David Smith, who stopped killing spree of Moors Murderers Myra Hindley and Ian Brady, dies after cancer battle

Wed, 09 May 2012 08:42:14 -0000

The man credited with stopping the Moors Murderers has died following a battle with cancer.

David Smith, the brother-in-law of Myra Hindley, witnessed the couple’s fifth murder aged just 17 in 1965 and went to the police.

Here drums the bride: Actor Max Beesley leads band through Manchester at sister's wedding

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:35:04 -0000

The family of newlywed Katie Beesley and Mark Neilan knew just how to make sure their wedding day went with a bang – with a drum and kazoo procession through the streets of Manchester.

Bride Katie is from a musical family – so dad Maxton Beesley, an acclaimed jazz musician and actor brother Max Beesley, led guests from Manchester Town Hall by drumming them along across the river to The Lowry Hotel, for the reception.

Staff and residents quizzed by murder detectives over death of Ivan Campbell, 73, at Rusholme care home

Sat, 05 May 2012 08:09:53 -0000

Murder squad detectives are investigating after a man died from non-accidental injuries at a care home.

Ivan Emmanuel Campbell, 73, was a resident at Victoria Nursing Home in Anson Road, Rusholme, which cares for people with complex mental health needs. A post mortem has ruled that he died from severe internal non-accidental injuries. The M.E.N. understands his injuries could have been caused by a single blow.

Voters reject elected mayor in Manchester - and deliver another Labour landslide

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:26:42 -0000

Manchester voters rejected the option of an elected mayor in a nail-biting referendum on the way the city is run and gave the Labour party its biggest-ever majority on the council.

Withington dad saves neighbour in blaze drama

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 04:55:05 -0000

A dad has been hailed a hero after rescuing a neighbour from his burning home.

Frank Barrett was having lunch with his family when they heard chilling screams from the house behind.

Parklife festival planners get a pasting over posters

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:53:55 -0000

Organisers of Manchester’s biggest pop music festival were ordered to take down illegal fly-posted adverts that appeared in scores of front gardens overnight.

Residents of a string of streets in Withington were shocked to wake up on Monday to find flyers stuck to ‘for sale’ and ‘to let’ boards outside their homes.

Shopper, 78, dies after tripping in Sainsbury's store in Fallowfield

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:36:49 -0000

A shopper died after tripping over in Sainsbury’s. Joan Wilson, 78, was with her daughter when the accident happened.

It is thought that great-gran Mrs Wilson caught her foot on a mat near the entrance and tumbled to the floor.

Tributes paid to former Lord Mayor of Manchester Tony Burns, known as 'Mr Wythenshawe', who has died aged 71

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:55:52 -0000

Tributes have been paid to a councillor described as ‘Mr Wythenshawe’ who has died after serving the community for more than 36 years.

Labour member Tony Burns was first elected to the Baguley ward in 1976. He held virtually every position of significance at Manchester council including the Lord Mayor and chair of the Labour group.

Labour selects Lucy Powell to stand as MP for Manchester Central in by-election

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:00:53 -0000

Labour will attempt to install its first female MP in Manchester after selecting Lucy Powell to fight it out in a by-election this autumn.

Police to step up pub patrols in south Manchester as drugs gang war breaks out

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 08:04:08 -0000

Police announced they will patrol pubs 12 hours a day as violence between drugs gangs threatens to escalate in south Manchester.

At least three incidents in Wythenshawe over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend are believed to be linked to an ongoing dispute between rival groups.

Metrolink trams delayed - by ducks on the track at Chorlton

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:07:35 -0000

A family of mallard ducks – mum and her brood of eight little chicks – had to be rescued by Metrolink staff and members of the public after they got on to the line at the Chorlton stop.

Big hitters fight for poll position in council vote

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:03:31 -0000

Political big hitters across the region are lining up to defend their seats in next month’s council elections. Three council leaders are among those running, as well as the chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority.

Controversial councillor steps down to run family business

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 12:58:11 -0000

Outspoken councillor Martin Eakins is leaving politics to set up a business with his brother. The Liberal Democrat has been a councillor for Northenden for the past four years.

Prince Edward alone on Christie visit as young Royal is hurt in pony fall

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:04:55 -0000

Prince Edward opened The Christie hospital’s £35m patient treatment centre yesterday afternoon after the Countess of Wessex pulled out of the visit when the couple's daughter fell off a pony.

Withington man jailed for driving along pavement towards clubbers in city centre

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:15:44 -0000

A driver who careered up a pavement towards a crowd of terrified clubbers has been jailed. Bystanders scattered in fear as Dominic Ali drove towards them before smashing into a sign in Manchester city centre.

Ali, 22, handed himself in after police released shocking CCTV footage of the incident. He has now been jailed for eight months – and told he could have got double if he hadn’t given himself up.

"You thought I was joking": Facebook fury of jealous knifeman who stabbed 74-year-old woman at Chorlton bus stop

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:08:37 -0000

Jealous David Walters, 23, screamed 'die, die' as he attacked Maria Morrison, 74, at a Chorlton bus stop after his cousin 'poked' his girlfriend on Facebook and later posted a message saying: "murder has been committed - you thought I was joking" but Mrs Morrison miraculously survived the assault.

Christie hospital in £250m investment boost for 'proton-beam' therapy

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 11:09:40 -0000

Hundreds of cancer patients will benefit from a cutting-edge radiotherapy treatment at Manchester’s Christie hospital following a £250m investment boost.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley announced today that the Withington-based hospital would be one in two to share in cash to built facilities for the so-called 'proton-beam' therapy.

‘Cat killer’ alert after poisoning of five pets on same Burnage street

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 06:53:17 -0000

Five cats been killed after a spate of suspected poisonings on a quiet street.

An investigation has been launched after the pets – owned by families on Southlea Road in Burnage, Manchester – suddenly died of mysterious causes.

Wythenshawe Park super-concert hotline is music to neighbours’ ears

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 10:19:25 -0000

A community hotline will be set up to help residents affected by ‘super-concerts’ in Wythenshawe Park.

The park was granted a licence to host gigs for up to 50,000 music fans last month.

Sure Start mums in Longsight bid to set up Manchester's first free school

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:50:09 -0000

Staff and parents at a Sure Start centre are bidding to open Manchester’s first free school. They hope to combat a shortage of primary places in Longsight by setting up their own 189-pupil school next to their Sure Start centre.

Crime down your street: Didsbury and Withington are burglary hotspots of Greater Manchester

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 11:32:38 -0000

Didsbury and Withington have been exposed as the burglary blackspots of Greater Manchester.

Crime league tables compiled by the M.E.N. show how the affluent south Manchester suburbs were hit by a total of 1,096 break-ins during 2011 – an average of three every day.

Reveller who raced from police in high-speed chase through Northenden is jailed

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 06:49:35 -0000

A partygoer led cops on a dramatic car chase after they spotted him speeding to buy more beer.

Gary O’Brien reached speeds of up to 80mph during the chase in Northenden. When he tried to turn onto a side street the vehicle screeched into a 180-degree turn to face the patrol car pursuing him.

Spared jail: Mum-of-two caught drink driving in Burnage a WEEK after she was banned for being over the limit

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:44:18 -0000

Victoria Bateson, 29, of Marple, was caught driving two-and-a-half times above the limit in Burnage just a week after receiving a 20-month ban for a similar offence.

Videos and pictures: The Queen and Prince Philip visit Manchester and Salford

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 13:42:37 -0000

Huge crowds of cheering spectators have welcomed the Queen to Manchester today – as she celebrates her 60-year reign.

Her Majesty and Prince Philip stepped off the royal train at Victoria Station to rapturous applause from more than 800 flag-waving fans.

Commuter at Mauldeth Road Station near Levenshulme has miraculous escape after he falls under train

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:37:22 -0000

A man escaped with minor injuries after falling in front of a commuter train as it stopped at a station.

Police were called to Mauldeth Road Station near Levenshulme after the man was seen falling from a platform at 6.30pm yesterday.

Wilmslow Road 'Curry Mile' named top hot spot for cycling accidents in Manchester

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 10:34:23 -0000

New figures show that since 2006, there have been 65 collisions where cyclists have been injured on Wilmslow Road, between Moss Lane East and Claremont Road – more than anywhere else in the city.

Junctions on Deansgate, Chester Road, Stockport Road, Barlow Moor Road and Bolton Road all feature highly in a table compiled from government crash data.

London 2012 Olympic torch relay in Greater Manchester: Map and details of the procession route

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 10:39:11 -0000

The 2012 Olympic torch will be carried along the streets of all major towns and cities in Greater Manchester – here are the details of where you can see it in your region.

Police hunt for rapist after woman is attacked in Rusholme

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 07:44:41 -0000

A manhunt is underway after a woman was raped as she walked home from a pub.

The woman, in her 20s, had been in the Red Rum pub on Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, and was walking along Brighton Grove, Rusholme, when she was attacked.

Terror as feuding gypsy clans battled in Levenshulme street

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:50:30 -0000

A playground row sparked a street battle between rival clans of Roma gypsies. About 20 men and youths fought with meat cleavers, cricket bats, golf clubs and sticks in the daytime fracas in Levenshulme.

Schoolchildren and shoppers looked on in horror as a man was stabbed in the neck before pulling the blade out and chasing after his attackers.

Girl, 9, takes on 52-mile cycle marathon in honour of grandad’s cancer battle at Christie hospital

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 10:29:00 -0000

A schoolgirl is attempting a 52-mile bike ride in honour of her seriously ill grandfather who taught her how to cycle.

Nine-year-old Emily Robson and her grandad Eric Robson have always been close and their shared love of cycling is a special bond.

£20m cancer research centre at Christie Hospital gets go-ahead

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:27:50 -0000

Controversial plans for a £20m cancer research centre have been approved by planning bosses.

Work to create an international research facility at the Christie Hospital in Withington will now start within months. Victorian houses will be demolished to make way for a three-storey Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC). It will include ground-level parking spaces for 419 cars.

Metrolink services severely disrupted by engineering work this weekend

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 13:56:57 -0000

Engineering work will cause widespread disruption to tram passengers this weekend.

The work will disrupt services this Saturday and Sunday, and also on Sunday March 25.

Parent-power bid to sink Chorlton school plans to become Academy

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:20:40 -0000

Parents and politicians have launched a campaign to block plans to turn a Manchester school into a flagship academy.

Mums and dads say the proposals, which would take Chorlton High outside of local council control, would make the school less accountable.

Christie Hospital wonder drug has saved my life, says Didsbury cancer mum

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 09:05:11 -0000

A mum-of-three battling advanced skin cancer is making an amazing recovery – after being given a new drug trialled at The Christie hospital.

It is being hailed as the biggest breakthrough in advanced melanoma treatments in 30 years.

School’s tribute to Junaid Khan, 12, who died after being hit by car yards from home

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:09:19 -0000

The headteacher of a 12-year-old boy who was killed when a car knocked him off his bike just yards from his home has paid tribute to ‘a polite, mature and hard working young man’.

Andy Park said Junaid Khan would be ‘very sadly missed’ by pupils and staff at Chorlton High School.

Street thefts in student areas of south Manchester double in year

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 13:03:50 -0000

Street thefts in Manchester’s student areas have more than doubled in a year, shock new figures reveal.

Pickpocketing and bag snatching along the university corridor between Withington and the city centre have soared despite other types of crime falling.

Final approval given for 50,000-capacity Wythenshawe Park super-concerts

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:49:24 -0000

Plans to hold controversial ‘super-concerts’ in Wythenshawe Park have been officially approved.

Householders, councillors and council legal advisers spent hours locked in negotiations over the plans before they were rubber stamped yesterday.

Face of bogus 'gas man' who stole from Burnage pensioner, 97

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:51:04 -0000

This is the man police want to speak to after a 97-year-old woman was targeted in a 'despicable' robbery.

Officers have released the image in connection with the theft at the pensioner's home on Avon Road in Burnage.

'He always had a smile on his face': Tributes to 12-year-old cyclist Junaid Khan after he dies in crash with car yards from his home in Whalley Range

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:59:37 -0000

Relatives of 12-year-old Junaid Ali Khan, who died after his bicycle was struck by a car in Whalley Range, have paid tribute to a 'cheerful young lad who always had a smile on his face'.

Chorlton football ticket conman Amrik Gill jailed for FOURTH time

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 12:19:05 -0000

Prolific fraudster Amrik Gill, 25, from Chorlton, is behind bars again after he was caught targeting two supporters hoping to go to a Premier League match and the Carling Cup final.

Jobs fears over Christie hospital savings

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:31:30 -0000

Bosses at The Christie hospital are trying to save £500,000 a year and staff fear there could be job cuts.

Hospital chiefs are looking at a shake-up of admin and clerical services and insist there will be no redundancies and no reduction in headcount. They say they will be able to save the cash by redeploying staff.

Manchester council approves next round of budget cuts with warning of ‘tough times'

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 07:41:30 -0000

Manchester town hall has given the go-ahead for year two of a £170m programme of spending cuts.

City chiefs have passed the budget for 2012/13 – giving the green light to a £61m package of savings, on top of £109m slashed from the 2011/12 budget.

Three people in court over assault of Manchester University student Daniel Whiteley in Platt Fields park

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:35:13 -0000

Two men and a woman have appeared in court charged with the attempted murder of student Daniel Whiteley in Platt Fields park. Michael Brownlie, 26, of Erneley Close, Nicholas Lindsay, 21, of Aked Close and Katie Mongan, 18, of Mount Road, all in Longsight, appeared before in Manchester magistrates court today.

Bus driver on the 192 takes student sex pest Syed Abbas straight to Longsight police station

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 12:25:06 -0000

A sex pest who groped two women on a bus got express justice – when the driver changed his route and drove straight to a police station.

Student Syed Abbas, 22, molested his victims on an early-morning 192 service between Levenshulme and the city centre.

Platt Fields Park attack: Mystery of ‘lost’ three hours before Barnsley student Daniel Whiteley was assaulted

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:08:17 -0000

Police are trying to piece together the movements of a student in a ‘mystery’ three-hour period before he was brutally assaulted.

Daniel Whiteley, 20, was left critically ill after being attacked in Manchester’s Platt Fields Park – less than a quarter of a mile from the halls of residence where he lives. He remains fighting for life in hospital after emergency surgery for a severe head injury.

Party in the works as West Didsbury traders mark end Burton Road closure

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:15:36 -0000

Owners of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on the road say trade has fallen by up to a half since workmen moved in last month to repair drains and sewers.

The road is due to be closed to traffic until next month. But now business owners are to put on a carnival during the final weekend of works.

Paramedic fights for lights on danger road

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:28 -0000

A volunteer paramedic is campaigning to get traffic lights at a junction where he has attended three car crashes in just two months. Josh Campbell, 20, says the entrance to the ASDA carpark on Kirkmanshulme Lane in Longsight is a hotspot for accidents as shoppers arrive and leave.

Police auction shows Aladdin's cave of stolen goods

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:25 -0000

Police are throwing open an 'Aladdin's cave' of stolen goods in a bid to reunite them with their rightful owners. The 'police auction with a difference' will show off scores of laptops, jewellery, watches, cameras and satellite navigation systems.

Mum’s the word for three pals

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:24 -0000

Three is the magic number for a trio of best friends who all became new mums within three months of each other. Marie Turnbull, Helen Beasley and Becky Bainton became close pals while working for a cancer charity – and were left stunned when they all became pregnant around the same time.

Chorlton Arts Festival plans to face the music

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 09:01:22 -0000

Organisers of Chorlton Arts Festival have announced the first of this year's headliners – saying there will be a renewed focus on music for the closing weekend. East London dance-pop duo Chew Lips will headline the inaugural Chorlton Weekender, which will take place between May 24 and 27 to round off the 11-day festival.

Panacea nightclub boss Joe Akka jailed for three months over '£60 driving ticket' scam

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 08:11:32 -0000

The high-flying boss of celebrity haunt Panacea has been jailed after a failed bid to escape a £60 fine.

Entrepreneur Joe Akka, 36, jumped a red light in his Audi Quattro on Princess Road, near Whalley Range, shortly before jetting off on a luxury trip to Thailand.

Man dies after being hit by train at East Didsbury station

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:05:13 -0000

A man has died after being hit by a train at East Didsbury railway station in south Manchester.

The man, thought to be aged in his 50s, was struck just before 2pm.

Clothing clue as police bid to identify man brutally attacked and left in Platt Fields Park ditch

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 16:29:17 -0000

They have also confirmed the man, thought to be aged 16-20, has been the victim of a brutal attack. New details have also been given of his appearance - all in a desperate bid to identify him and contact his family.

The man, thought to be a student, currently lies fighting for life in Hope Hospital following emergency surgery.

‘Failing’ Longsight care home blasted by watchdogs

Sun, 26 Feb 2012 10:37:58 -0000

Grove Park Care Home in Longsight was hit with a formal warning after a team of inspectors from the Care Quality Commission made two unannounced visits.

They said the home – which looks after up to 20 people with mental health or substance problems – failed to meet a number of key standards.

Driver cheats death after ‘lunatics’ hurl rocks onto his car

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:26:15 -0000

A shaken driver told how he was seconds from death after thugs hurled a boulder from a bridge into the path of his car. The large rock smashed into Sunny Chohan’s VW Golf during a late night attack as he drove home through Alderley Edge.

Entrepreneur launches Muslim matchmaker website from Levenshulme centre

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:25:30 -0000

Tanya Ali, 31, launched her Muslim Matchmaker business in December and her hands-on approach has already seen wedding bells ring for one lucky couple.

The service, based at the Inspire Centre in Levenshulme, has already been inundated with dozens of singles looking to find their perfect partner.

Revealed: Underground treasure trove at Levenshulme High School

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:21:49 -0000

The stash was uncovered in an underground chamber below Levenshulme High’s Erwood building, which was re-opened last month after a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Among the items uncovered are 1930s vinyl records of the school choir singing, letters detailing people relocated to Levenshulme following the bombing of London in World War Two and a copy of the bible from 1609.

Christie U-turn: Hospital ditches car park plan for cancer research centre

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 08:51:23 -0000

A decision by Christie Hospital to ditch plans for a multi-storey car park next to a proposed cancer research centre has been hailed as ‘a victory for common sense’.

Health chiefs made the U-turn in new proposals sent to the council, after their original blueprint for a multi-storey car park of at least 750 spaces was rejected by planners last month.

‘Mole’ gang foiled as new tunnel is found targeting Burnage store

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:58:20 -0000

Thieves branded the ‘mole gang’ after they dug a tunnel in a daring raid on a cash machine may have struck again.

Police have now found another tunnel leading towards a second shop two miles away.

Beyond belief: Heartless thugs in Burnage shoot cat in the eye with air gun

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:37:48 -0000

A Cat could lose an eye after being shot by yobs. Enki, a golden tabby, was blasted with what is thought to be an air rifle.

The pellet went through his right eye, ricocheted off his eardrum and became wedged deep in the roof of his mouth. Vets say that the rubber pellet will remain in Enki’s body for the rest of his life.

Spared jail - Romanian teenage mum in Unicef charity scam

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:51:04 -0000

A teenage mum who cheated people out of their hard-earned cash by posing as a fundraiser for international children’s charity Unicef has walked free from court.

Monica Constantin, 18, was told by a judge, who gave her a suspended prison term, to warn others tempted to try the same scam that they would ‘not get away with it’.

Longsight car firm fined £15k after elderly worker, 76, dies in roof fall

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 13:42:10 -0000

A car firm has been fined £15,000 after an elderly worker plunged through a roof and died.

Retired electrician Mohammed Hashim, 76, was helping his friend fix an advertising sign at GB Autos in Longsight when he fell 20ft through a skylight.

Gun thugs target seven people in robberies across Fallowfield, Withington and Chorlton

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:02:47 -0000

Three men threatened seven different people at gunpoint early today during a string of terrifying robberies across south Manchester.

Police believe all seven attacks are linked and have launched a major investigation.

MP John Leech hopes to use cases of First World War deserters in quest to pardon Alan Turing

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:49:44 -0000

Campaigners battling to clear the name of computer genius Alan Turing hope to use the cases of First World War deserters to secure his pardon.

The Manchester University mathematician and wartime code breaker was convicted of gross indecency after having a relationship with another man in the 1950s.

DJ Dave Haslam: Manchester should promote vibrant suburbs of West Didsbury and Chorlton rather than 'soulless' city centre

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 09:30:08 -0000

The former Hacienda DJ says a council-backed campaign aimed at boosting city centre shops risks marginalising ‘vibrant’ areas such as Didsbury, Chorlton and Levenshulme.

His remarks come after US actress Chloe Sevigny’s description of Manchester as ‘one of the grimmest places I’d ever been to in my life’.

Top police officer says budget cuts are hitting Greater Manchester force hard

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:54:49 -0000

An award-winning top cop has told how swingeing cuts to Greater Manchester Police's funding are 'cutting away at the muscle' of the force.

Damian O'Reilly, neighbourhood inspector for Levenshulme, described how the cutbacks were leaving officers feeling 'undervalued'. His frank admissions were read out in the House of Commons by local MP Sir Gerald Kaufman during a debate on 20 per cent budget cuts to police forces across England and Wales.

Councillor calls for limit on number of Chorlton bars

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:32:27 -0000

A councillor is calling for Chorlton to follow in the footsteps of Fallowfield and Withington with a cap on the number of bars.

The Reporter revealed last week how town hall chiefs have drafted plans to force planning officers to take into account the number of licensed premises already operating in an area before opening a new one.

Independent shop in Withington bites dust as supermarket opens

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:29:53 -0000

One of the last remaining shops in Withington village is having to close down – after struggling to compete with a newly opened supermarket.

Tony Vincent has called time on his Colourbox stationery store after seeing trade decline rapidly over recent years.

Didsbury conductor’s honour at playing Manchester Cathedral concert

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:24:06 -0000

A conductor is gearing up for the ‘concert of a lifetime’ – playing before 1,000 Irish music fans at Manchester Cathedral.

Sinead Hayes, 33, will play at the historic venue with her new south Manchester-based orchestra Ivernia next month.

Tributes paid to rugby's 'oldest winger'

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 12:18:10 -0000

War veteran Des Pastore died last month at the age of 97 after an action-packed life that saw him serve as a fighter pilot, collect an MBE from the Queen and set a try scoring record that will never be beaten.

Plans for a lasting tribute to the so-called ‘oldest winger in town’ at Old Bedians, the Didsbury club he set up, are under discussion.

£20m Levenshulme homes bid goes before planners for the fourth time

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:55:59 -0000

Controversial plans to build around 150 new homes have been submitted to the town hall for the fourth time.

The £20m scheme would see new flats, houses, shops and an underground car park built around the site of St Mary’s Church on Elbow Street, Levenshulme.

Drivers who mowed down caring dad while racing through Longsight are jailed

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:25:24 -0000

Daniel Lee, 21, was crossing Plymouth Grove in Longsight, when he was hit by a VW Golf driven by Kamran Khan.

A jury heard how Khan, 24, had been playing a reckless game of chase with his pal Shamin Uddin, 25, who was driving an Audi when the accident happened in the early hours of January 30 last year.

Live - Manchester council meeting

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:53:24 -0000

Manchester council is holding a full meeting this morning - follow our live coverage here ...

Skype’s the limit as Manchester council staff have online video meetings to cut travel costs

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:53:26 -0000

Manchester town hall bosses have ordered staff to consider video-linked calls over the internet rather than arranging face-to-face meetings.

Office-based staff will also be given smart meters to plug into their work stations, showing how much power they are using at any time.

Lib Dems accuse Manchester council of 'scaremongering' over £80m council cuts ‘con’

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:50:20 -0000

We reported earlier this week that the city’s Labour leadership was preparing to find the cash on top of the £170m they’ve already slashed from their budget.

But opposition members claim the council could save the money elsewhere.

CAMRA publishes guide to best real ale pubs on Metrolink tram routes

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:07:25 -0000

The free pocket-sized leaflets list the top pubs near every tram stop on the Altrincham and newly-opened South Manchester routes.

Connoisseurs of traditional ale hope the guide will encourage locals and tourists to uncover unsung boozers across the tram network and reduce drink driving.

Referees' boss Phil Morris suspended for 'concentration camp' jibe before Jewish league game

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 11:47:57 -0000

A referees'’ boss has been suspended after being found guilty by an FA panel of making a sick jibe about the Holocaust before a Jewish league match.

Phil Morris, referee appointments secretary at the Manchester FA, was disciplined over comments he was said to have made in a dressing room at Manchester United’s Carrington complex.

Fallowfield drunk caught out impersonating a traffic officer – after he flagged down a police car

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:32:22 -0000

Leo McKenna, 44, drank 10 pints of lager and six double vodkas before kitting himself out in a reflective jacket, body armour, handcuffs and a baton to flag down motorists on Wilbraham Road, Fallowfield, and warn them of the dangers of speeding in icy conditions.

More pain on the way: Manchester council planning further cuts of £80m

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 12:31:38 -0000

It has emerged that town hall chiefs will have to shave another £25m from their budget in 2013/14 - rising to between £55m and £80m in 2014/15. And they’ve been unable to rule out more workers losing their jobs.

Residents have also been warned they could face a 3.5 per cent increase in council tax for 2013/14 to help close the funding gap. The tax was frozen this year thanks to a special government grant.