NHS staff to get FREE tickets to Manchester Opera House Christmas pantomime

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.

straight to your inboxFormer Liverpool and Manchester City midfielder Steve McManaman has hailed John Stones after the defender produced another impressive display during Saturday's victory against Fulham.Raheem Sterling 's early goal and a penalty from Kevin de Bruyne sealed a 2-0 win for the hosts, who were dominant throughout the match against Scott Parker's side.

Many of Manchester's restaurants have had to get creative in order to get their food to customers this year.As well as launching new delivery and takeaway services, several operators have started creating DIY meal kits, delivering all the instructions and ingredients you need to recreate your favourite restaurant food at home.With Greater Manchester in local lockdown restrictions since the end of July, and in national lockdown for the last month, we've all absolutely lapped it upBut one

straight to your inbox every day for freeRoy Keane says Dean Henderson finds himself in a 'nightmare scenario' at Manchester United.The 23-year-old returned to Old Trafford in the summer after a successful two-season loan spell at Sheffield United.He has since become the Reds' second choice goalkeeper, with David De Gea's improved form limiting Henderson's game time.Henderson has spoken freely about his need to play, especially with the Euros coming up at the end of the season, and Keane

“At lower levels, snow is expected to be transient, but at higher elevations – say above 200-300 metres in areas like the Peak District – there is a risk of it settling and creating more difficult conditions on trans-Pennine routes.

Bury and Radcliffe.

straight to your inbox every day for freeGood morning, Manchester United fans. Here are your morning headlines for Saturday, November 28.Ferguson praises Rashford’s philanthropy Former Manchester United United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has praised Marcus Rashford following the striker’s campaigning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronation Street, as well as performances from local schools and bands.

straight to your inboxManchester City's Christmas schedule has been confirmed, as well as their upcoming Premier League games which include a Manchester derby at Old Trafford.City will face Manchester United in the first Premier League derby of the season, looking to avenge their two defeats in the league to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side last season. That game has been moved to the evening kick-off on Saturday December 12, with kick off at 5.30pm.

Manchester Evening News about overcrowding in emergency departments and staff-to-patient ratios, adding: "It won't feel to NHS staff working on the front line that pressure is easing just yet.

Manchester Evening News has seen an early internal planning document circulated within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

revised tier system, which will come into force on December 2 when the national lockdown ends, government ministers will impose the top level of restrictions on the highest risk areas.Previously, ministers had entered into discussions with local leaders over the what measures would be needed and how they would be funded.In Greater Manchester, mayor Andy Burnham led several days of intense talks as he tried to negotiate a more substantial financial package than the one the government had

hereWhen police managed to get inside after opening a number of locked doors they found a crowd of people.A total of 17 fixed penalty notices were issued to those at the gathering.

What do you think should happen after Lockdown 2 ends in early December? Have your say here: Get breaking news first on the free Manchester Evening News app - download it here for your Apple or Android device. You can also get a round-up of the biggest stories sent direct to your inbox every day with the MEN email newsletter - subscribe here. And you can follow us on Facebook here.

A Manchester NHS doctor has become the first person in the world to be recruited for the final stage trial of a coronavirus vaccine.By also receiving one of the first doses, Dr Claire Cole is at the vanguard of a 'phase 3' Covid-19 study testing the safety and effectiveness of a new two-dose vaccine.Dr Cole, Head of Research Delivery at Manchester University NHS Foundation, is one of 6,000 volunteers in the UK, and of 30,000 worldwide, being recruited for the study, taking place at 17 National

The schools closing a week early include:Focus Trust’s chief executive Helen Rowland said: “We recognise the short notice may be an issue for some families but we hope that by taking the proactive and practical approach of extending the break, we can ensure that no one is forced to self-isolate over the holiday because of someone they have come into contact with at school.“The time will be made up later in the school year when it is safe and practical to do so and families will be informed of

straight to your inbox every day, freeHere are your Manchester United morning headlines for Friday, November 20. Manchester United youngsters Owen Dodgson and Calen Gallagher-Allison have both left the club’s academy to join Burnley.

operate taprooms from their arches.

coronavirus patients have died in the second wave of the pandemic in Greater Manchester, the MEN can reveal.