"If 'wet' pubs stay closed for Christmas, I fear many will never reopen" - Wigan landlady 'bitterly disappointed' by Tier 3 decision

After her fiancé Bradley Dack branded her The Grinch, Olivia Attwood decided to give the footballer a festive surprise by giving their flat a Christmas makeover. With the help of Lasting Memories Weddings & Events, Olivia transformed their Manchester flat into Santa’s Grotto complete with two giant Christmas trees, festive garlands and stunning decorations.

Ramones festive track ‘Merry Christmas (I Don’t Want To Fight Tonight)’.The song, which originally featured on the New York band’s 1989 album ‘Brain Drain, has been reworked into a more downbeat version by the Manchester trio.

direct to your inboxBubble closures have become the norm at many of Greater Manchester's schools leaving parents struggling to get to work.If a child is sent home from school, it's only them who needs to isolate and the rest of the family can go about their usual business.But when the closures involve younger pupils, someone needs to be with that child, so unless one parent either doesn't work or works from home, many families are finding it increasingly difficult.So what are your rights if you

Sign up for our What's On newsletter - for all the latest whether you're staying in or heading out and aboutSeveral pubs in the north west have been named as some of the best in the country in the latest Good Pub Guide.The annual guide celebrates the best in British boozers, from the world-renowned food pubs to the locals famed for their gin collections.In last year's awards, a Lancashire pub - the Inn at Whitewell - came out on top, but it was knocked off the top spot this year.Even so, the

straight to your inboxPablo Zabaleta says John Stones would not be part of his ideal back four for Manchester City.The centre-back has been in excellent form since being recalled to City's starting line-up, having effectively found himself as sixth-choice centre-back during the summer.It has led to plenty of debate over what City's strongest defence is, with Aymeric Laporte missing four of their last five games.The likes of Nathan Ake, Eric Garcia and summer signing Ruben Dias are also vying for

Blossoms have unveiled a new, animated short film, Christmas Eve (Soul Purpose).

fitness businesses that operate within a class setting were left behind.

Perrie Edwards gave fans a treat after showing off her Christmas decorations, and in turn also the star’s incredible home.The Little Mix star lives in Manchester with her footballer boyfriend, Liverpool ace Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. While Alex is away, the star invited her friends over for some festive fun The trio uploaded the results to Perrie’s TikTok showing off her swanky pad at the same time.

straight to your inboxRuben Dias has already stood out at Manchester City for the leadership qualities he has added to the squad. The 23-year-old, signed from Benfica for a club record £64m in September, was thrown into the starting XI to make his debut at Leeds after just a few training sessions.

A Grand Life, Heard, where some of Greater Manchester's most inspiring older residents tell their tales.

will take place this year. But while many fans of the markets were delighted to hear they'll return in some capacity yesterday, there have been many raised eyebrows and criticisms of the decision to go ahead.

direct to your inboxThe stretch of Deansgate pedestrianised earlier in May will have to be re-opened to buses following a legal challenge, Manchester Council has said.The section between Blackfriars Street and King Street was closed to vehicles in the spring using temporary traffic regulation orders under national Covid-19 legislation.Manchester Council said at the time it would allow people to have 'more space' as they returned to the area following lockdown.The move was 'largely very well

direct to your inboxA south Manchester road was closed late last night following a road traffic collision.Police were called to Moseley Road in Fallowfield at 10.35pm on Saturday, to reports of a crash involving a black Skoda Fabia.The road was closed at the junction with Wilmslow Road while emergency services attended the scene.Police say there are no reports of any injuries.No arrests have been made.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN

Christmas dinners, restaurant meet-ups and annual Christmas Eve trips to the pub with old friends. But with the current restrictions imposed on Greater Manchester in the harshest tier of the government's latest covid alert system - it's hard to feel festive.

direct to your inboxTwo major routes between Manchester and Sheffield have been closed today as a result of snow, which has led to vehicles becoming stranded on the Snake Pass.Both the A57 Snake Pass and the Woodhead Pass have been shut as a result of wintry conditions which have made driving hazardous.Vehicles are reportedly stuck on the Snake Pass, Manc Traffic has posted on Twitter.It says: “A57 Snake Pass reported BLOCKED with vehicles stuck.

"According to these latest rules we can muscle in alongside the Christmas shoppers in all non-essential shops, go for a workout in the gym, get our hair done, and even go to a massage parlour - but we're not allowed to walk around our local art gallery, visit a museum, or sit in a socially distanced seat inside a Covid-secure cultural venue and enjoy a performance. "Our cultural venues here in Manchester are on their knees.

moving goalposts ', people are beginning to lose hope. Local DJ and music producer Liam Hyphen - a familiar face behind the decks at the city centre's nightlife hotspots - said: "It feels like I’m back at school and we’ve been put in detention for talking back to the teacher."I haven’t worked since March and probably won’t until well into next year by the looks of it."People are struggling financially and mentally.

forced to U-turn on plans to close early for the Christmas holidays this week. The M.E.N revealed that leaders of Focus Trust were under pressure from the government to reverse their plan to shut a week earlier than planned.