More testing sites to be set up in Manchester after new coronavirus variant found

'Possible human remains' have been discovered close to an abandoned pub in Bolton.Police have cordoned off an area of woodland close to the building.Tests and forensic analysis is currently being carried out to ascertain the circumstances of the incident, Greater Manchester Police said.It is not believed that this incident is linked to any ongoing investigations, they added.Two eyewitnesses say officers were called to the building, just off Blackburn Road, near Egerton Park, at around

direct to your inbox More than 5,500 people have died in Greater Manchester's hospitals alone after contracting coronavirus. And tragically, this number continues to rise everyday.

direct to your inboxAlmost a third of all adults in Greater Manchester have now received a coronavirus vaccine jab.And for the first time, new data reveals the take up figures for every postcode area in our region.It shows the five neighbourhoods where more than half of residents have now been vaccinated - one in Trafford, the highest rate, two in Bury, one in Stockport and one in Rochdale.The statistics, compiled by the Manchester Evening News, are from the latest available NHS data.They show

direct to your inboxA national consultation over proposed new counter-terrorism legislation was being launched today after a campaign in memory of Manchester Arena bomb victim Martyn Hett.Maryn's mother, Figen Murray, hailed the breakthrough as a 'major stride towards making our country safer' - and saving lives.

direct to your inboxCoronavirus has brought heartache to thousands of families across Greater Manchester.More than 5,200 people have died in our region's hospitals alone. And tragically, this number is continuing to rise.

direct to your inboxResidents in Greater Manchester have faced one bout of cold weather after the next since the start of the year.Last week, conditions were bitterly cold, with temperatures dropping below zero.And before then, the Met Office had to issue a number of severe weather warnings for snow and ice covering the region.With more time spent at home than ever during the national lockdown, many households have had to have their heating on for long periods each day.However, you may be able

direct to your inboxThe NHS has confirmed the deaths of 18 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for coronavirus.Nationally, a further 309 hospital deaths were reported on Thursday.Of those, 42 were in hospitals in the north west region.Six further deaths have been recorded at Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, with five more at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.Three further deaths were recorded at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust and at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh

direct to your inbox The latest figures on Covid-19 case rates for every local authority area in England show how the ten boroughs of Greater Manchester compare.

direct to your inboxCoronation Street star Sally Dynevor has thanked the NHS after having her Covid vaccine.Sally, who plays Corrie's Sally Metcalfe, says she feels 'so grateful' after having her jab.The actress praised the health service after the Altrincham Healthcare Alliance Primary Care Network revealed Sally and former England and Manchester United captain Bryan Robson, 64, were among more than 800 people receiving their Coronavirus vaccines yesterday.She wrote on Twitter: "Thank you so

hereBury's rate increased by a single case.Oldham and Wigan also has a higher rate than yesterday, but cases are still down when the figures are compared with the previous week.The national average in England is 137.4 cases per 100,000 of the population.Manchester and Trafford recorded the highest week-on-week fall in cases.Bolton has the highest infection rate in Greater Manchester - at 236.1 cases per 100,000.Trafford - on 137.8 cases - has the lowest.Of the 315 local areas in England, 16 (5

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United striker Mason Greenwood has today signed a new contract at Old Trafford, with 19-year-old agreeing a new four-year until June 2025, with the option of a further year.Greenwood, who has been at United since he was seven, has scored 21 goals for the club in 82 appearances in all competitions and is still holds the record for being United's youngest goalscorer in European competition.On Greenwood's new contract at United, manager Ole Gunnar

praised families and staff at Corpus Christi RC Primary in Chadderton, Oldham, for pulling together amid the pandemic, we asked parents to tell us who they wanted to thank - and we were inundated with suggestions. More than 200 parents replied to posts on our Manchester Family Facebook page naming schools and teachers who have made this unprecedented time easier for pupils.

straight to your inbox every day for free"It was life threatening... I was rushed to hospital. There are 3 or 4 days in Edinburgh Hospital I can't even remember".To make it at Manchester United as young lad, you have to overcome more than most. You have to push yourself harder. You have to believe in yourself, when few others will.But when Darren Fletcher looks back at the challenges he's endured now, he doesn't talk about trying to make his mark as a skinny teenager in a midfield of Roy Keane

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester Police have been forced to step in after a 'criminal' Weetabix combination went viral on Twitter.The tweet in question was posted by the popular cereal brand this morning, and quickly caught the attention of cops.And when you see what Weetabix were suggesting, it's clear to see why.Instead of the uncontested cereal and milk combination, it was suggested that customers try their Weetabix with something new.Baked Beans."Why should bread have all the fun, when

direct to your inboxThe coronavirus death toll in the UK has hit a grim milestone, with over 100,000 lives lost to the disease. At the Manchester Evening News we have pledged to honour the memory of every victim who has died from our region.

were identified in two households in the area in recent days.It is related to a strain first detected in Bristol last month, which is related to the UK's dominant strain identified in Kent towards the end of last year.Now, at least 10,000 people across homes and businesses will be offered free PCR tests in an effort to contain the virus.Testing units will be set up for walk-in appointments and home testing kits will also be offered by council workers knocking door-to-door in the affected

direct to your inboxThousands of people in Manchester are to be offered immediate Covid-19 tests after a new variant of the virus was identified in the area. Manchester City Council will be inviting everyone living or working within a specific footprint for tests from tomorrow after four cases of a new strain were identified in two households on Moss Side.

direct to your inboxMore than ten thousand people in Moss Side and neighbouring communities are to be offered immediate Covid-19 tests after a new variant of the virus was identified in the area.From tomorrow Manchester council will be inviting all over-16s living, working or studying within a specific footprint - including most of Moss Side and small parts of Whalley Range, Hulme and Fallowfield - for tests, after four cases of a new strain were identified in two unrelated households.Dedicated

direct to your inboxDrivers have been warned to expect delays on the M62 after a lorry fire.One lane is currently closed on the westbound carriageway heading towards Manchester between junction 11 for Birchwood and junction 10 for Croft Exchange.Transport bosses said a lorry had set on fire at the scene.Emergency services are in attendance.In a tweet, TfGM warned drivers to 'approach with caution and expect delays in the area'.A traffic camera at the scene appears to show that the vehicle has