'Everybody is on your side. No one wants you to fail': The children in the dock at Manchester Youth Court this Christmas

direct to your inboxMajor plans to transform Manchester city centre’s landmark Debenhams building have been recommended for approval by council bosses. The Rylands building on Market Street is for an extensive makeover which will see it restored to its original Art Deco glory both inside and outside.

direct to your inboxA 14-year-old boy accused of murder has made his first appearance in crown court following the death of a Stockport restaurant owner.The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Manchester Crown Court today over a video link.As detailed on the Magistrates Court list, he is charged with murder; causing death by dangerous driving; causing death by driving a vehicle, namely a Mercedes C220; using a motor vehicle, namely a Mercedes C220, on a road without

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

straight to your inbox every day for freeJurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool are unlikely to sign a centre-back in the January transfer market.Liverpool have been beset by fitness problems at the back this season, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez both suffering long-term injuries and Joel Matip struggling to retain regular fitness.It has meant Klopp has been forced into playing midfielder Fabinho at centre-back alongside younger players, and it has seen them struggle to maintain the dominant

Prime Minister announced last night that all schools and colleges will close to the vast majority of pupils from today as learning goes online due to England's new national lockdown.

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

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straight to your inbox every day for freeOwen Hargreaves believes Manchester United need to copy Liverpool's transfer strategy by signing world-class players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker to become genuine title contenders.United twice led against Leicester on Boxing Day but shared the points after Harvey Barnes' first-half strike and an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe in the last ten minutes.Bruno Fernandes once again scooped the man of the match award after assisting Marcus Rashford

direct to your inbox Throughout this year Manchester Magistrates Court has seen its fair share of challenges, from coronavirus to lockdown and everything in between.

straight to your inbox every day for freePaul Scholes says Manchester United's position in the table shows they have the ability to be title challengers this season.Their recent form has prompted plenty of talk about whether United can launch a challenge that was unexpected at the start of the season. Some of United's players have been bullish about their chances and Scholes can see why.

Ariana Grande has brought some Christmas cheer to hundreds of young hospital patients in Manchester.The pop star has surprised hundreds of children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and Manchester Royal Infirmary (MRI) with an Amazon voucher each worth £100.Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, the father of one of the patents said his daughter was “absolutely delighted” with the kind gesture, describing the ‘7 Rings’ singer as “a wonderful human being”.“She said, ‘look dad, I’ve got a

Ariana Grande is proving the people of Manchester are very much in her heart this holiday season.

Ariana Grande had an early Christmas present for young people in Manchester spending the festive season in hospital. It’s been reported that Ariana has gifted every child being treated at Manchester’s Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital with a £100 voucher that they can use on Amazon.

direct to your inboxTwo men from Greater Manchester who won £20,000 on the hit BBC show Race Across the World have donated their prize money to charity.Emon Choudhury, 36, from Stockport, beat four other teams to win the race alongside his nephew Jamiul Choudhury, 25, from Oldham.The pair beat the odds to complete an epic 54-day journey from Mexico City to the south of Argentina for the second series of the BBC2 show.On their travels, the men were visibly moved by the number of homeless children