Flood alerts issued across Greater Manchester as Storm Bella hits region

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.

direct to your inboxThe Environment Agency have issued a number of 'flood alerts' for parts of Greater Manchester after the region was battered by heavy rain.Alerts, meaning flooding is possible and should be prepared for are in place for areas in Stockport, Trafford, Tameside and High Peak.The River Mersey including areas in Bramhall, Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston fall under the alert.Parts of Hyde, Ashton-under-Lyne, Denton, Stalybridge and Glossop could also see flooding from the

direct to your inboxAnother weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Greater Manchester over the next 24 hours. The forecaster has added a yellow weather warning for ice across the region from 3pm today, until 11am tomorrow (January 12).

direct to your inboxThese maps show how Covid-19 cases are rapidly increasing across Greater Manchester.The striking images show a big increase in less than a week.And the latest data shows just one neighbourhood in the whole conurbation with an infection rate below 100 per 100,000 people.The first map shows rates for the week ending on Boxing Day, December 26.While the second map shows rates in the week ending January 2.They show that during that period, the area with an infection rate below

Salford, Trafford and Stockport this morning (Thursday, January 7). One of the warrants was executed at a home in Rake Lane, in Clifton.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police officer who repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed.Farooq Ahmed, 37, walked into a police station with a confession note before Christmas.

direct to your inboxA warning has been issued by the Met Office with a cold snap expected to lead to icy conditions in parts of Greater Manchester tonight and tomorrow.The national forecaster has issued a yellow warning for ice in the region as well as Lancashire and numerous other areas across the North West, Midlands and North East.The warning, which comes into force at 4pm this afternoon says it is likely there will be icy patches on untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.Rain is forecast

direct to your inboxA further 14 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals after testing positive for coronavirus.It brings the total death toll in the region to 4,272.Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust recorded eleven more deaths.Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust registered another death while there were two more recorded at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.Earlier today it was revealed dialysis patient Brian Pinker received his jab of the Oxford vaccine at

bring in new national Covid restrictions within 24 hours as cases continue to rise. He has also called for the government to come up with a plan on children’s learning and for working parents.

direct to your inboxDozens of chickens have been dumped across Greater Manchester after 'panic buyers' bought them to lay eggs. The RSPCA has warned that the birds are being dumped in huge numbers due to lockdown and fears of the return of bird flu.

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 inboxUp to 25pc of all new coronavirus cases across Greater Manchester can be attributed to the new strain seen spreading rapidly through southern England.Experts predict there could be even higher number of new cases down to the new variant currently due to a data lag.Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham announced the figures at a press conference this morning.He said that partly as a result of this new strain, he and Greater Manchester’s leaders are in agreement with the

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.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police chief has urged people to stay at home in Tier 4 tomorrow night instead of celebrating New Year's Eve as they normally would. Under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, people are required by law to remain at home unless they need to leave their home for essential reasons.

direct to your inboxThe Met Office has issued a weather warning for snow in Greater Manchester from tonight.Forecasters have warned of the potential for travel disruption.A Met Office yellow-coded weather warning is in place for much of the UK.It comes into force at 6pm today - Wednesday - until 2pm on Thursday.The Met Office said: "Snow arriving from the north later on Wednesday, moving south through Thursday morning, may lead to some travel disruption."Some roads and railways are likely to be

direct to your inboxIt wasn't quite the white Christmas we see in all those festive movies.But there was a dusting of snow across Greater Manchester on Christmas Day.However, things quickly turned to strong winds and heavy rain as Storm Bella began its approach on Boxing Day.The Met Office has since issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice beginning at 6pm tonight (Sunday) into Monday morning.Therefore sleet, snow and flooding is all expected in parts of Greater Manchester as the extreme

direct to your inboxIt could be a rough day across Greater Manchester tomorrow as forecasters warn of extreme weather.The Met Office has issued alerts for strong winds and heavy rain, alongside a weather warning for snow and ice in Greater Manchester as Storm Bella sweeps across the country.Temperatures are expected to reach no higher than 3°C across most of the region on Sunday but the windchill will make the conditions feel much colder.Forecasters say icy surfaces are likely in much of Greater