'Stay safe because this isn't looking great': River Roch at highest levels for a 'long time' as businesses forced to put up flood defences

direct to your inbox The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offers only limited protection against mild disease caused by the South African variant of coronavirus, according to research.

straight to your inboxSeeing – and hearing – Ruben Dias in action has Gareth Barry harking back to his early days in the Manchester City dressing room.The former Blues midfielder was brought to the club in 2010 as an experienced 28-year-old who had played at a high level for Aston Villa for ten years, playing nearly 450 games.But it was a 23-year-old Vincent Kompany who startled Barry, whose own experience was a key reason City stumped up a bargain £12million for the England international.Both

straight to your inbox every day for freeSteven Gerrard has been impressed with the improvements made by Manchester United this season but says they are still a work in progress. The Liverpool legend has been keeping a close eye on the Premier League title race from his position as Rangers manager, having led the Gers to the cusp of the Scottish Premiership title.

direct to your inboxGareth Taylor heaped praise on Chloe Kelly as Manchester City Women netted seven goals for the second successive week. After a 7-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League, City followed it up with a 7-1 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

straight to your inbox every day for freeFormer Manchester United starlet Indy Boonen reportedly found himself at the centre of a Twitter storm after a social media attack on climate change activist Greta Thunberg.The Belgian forward was highly-rated when he joined United in 2015, but failed to break into the senior set-up and moved back to his native country to sign for KV Oostende when he was still aged only 19.Now 22, he isn't a regular for Oostende, but he has inadvertently raised his

direct to your inboxBoris Johnson today said the government will keep Greater Manchester's flood defences under review after the River Mersey came 'very close' to flooding. The Prime Minister visited south Manchester this morning after Storm Christoph raged through the region and the canal almost breached its banks.

direct to your inboxThousands of homes narrowly escaped potentially devastating flooding in Didsbury and Northenden last night after the River Mersey came perilously close to breaching its banks.The Environment Agency has confirmed the waterway was just 2cm away from disaster last night as Storm Christoph raged through the region.A severe 'danger to life' warning was issued in parts of the south Manchester suburbs last night as the river hit the highest levels ever recorded.Around 2,000 homes

Don't miss a thing that's happening in and around Bury by signing up to the free MyBury newsletterFlood warnings remain in place in Bury after Storm Christoph triggered a ‘major incident’ in Greater Manchester.Several properties could be flooded in Radcliffe following days of heavy rainfall.Warnings are currently in force for homes at Pioneer Mills, Parkside Close and Close Park.Water levels at the River Irwell at Strongstry are also rising and are expected to remain high until Friday (January

direct to your inboxThe fatal stabbing of 17-year-old in Moss Side last summer was part of the same gang feud which ended in a deadly knife attack in the same part of south Manchester in 2016, a murder trial has heard.Four accused teenagers, said to be members of AO, a street gang based in Moss Side, deny murdering Mohamoud Mohamed, 17, who was said to be a member of the rival Rusholme Crips outfit.Greater Manchester Police's anti-gang team, XCalibre Taskforce, had tried to reach out to Mohamoud

direct to your inboxHundreds of people were being evacuated from their homes overnight as Storm Christoph caused widespread flooding across the UK.Some 2,000 properties in the East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden areas of Manchester were due to be evacuated on Wednesday night because of rising water levels, the city council said.Elsewhere people were also asked to leave their homes in parts of Ruthin and Bangor on Dee in North Wales, and Maghull in Merseyside.Authorities have been

direct to your inboxAround 2,000 homes and businesses in south Manchester are being asked to evacuate due to flooding fears caused by Storm Christoph tonight.Police and firefighters are working with Manchester council to evacuate homes in East Didsbury, West Didsbury and Northenden.Authorities have been monitoring water levels at the River Mersey throughout Wednesday and now believe it will peak at around 4am.Hundreds of people will now be asked to leave as the Environment Agency has issued two

Manchester Evening News showed walkways and a staircase submerged in water on Wednesday afternoon.

direct to your inbox‘If the water rises another metre, we could be in big trouble.’Some residents in South Manchester say they are 'preparing for evacuation' as the River Mersey reaches the highest levels ever recorded on the waterway and roads become flooded.'Flooding to properties is expected', according to the Environment Agency.Greater Manchester Police declared a major incident on Tuesday evening and the Met Office warns of a 'danger to life' due to fast flowing or deep floodwater.

direct to your inbox The River Irwell has burst its banks in Manchester city centre as Storm Christoph continues to batter the region. Pictures shared with the Manchester Evening News show water levels are extremely high in the Castlefield area with parts of the riverside pathway flooded.

direct to your inboxUp to 3,000 properties are at risk of flooding in south Manchester and Trafford this evening, police have warned.Authorities have been monitoring the heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph and a number of warnings have already been issued.At the Mayor Andy Burnham's press conference this afternoon, Assistant Chief Constable Nick Bailey gave an update on the latest information.He said the main risk in the Greater Manchester area is around the River Mersey relating to Didsbury,

direct to your inboxNeighbours evacuated from their homes due to flooding won’t be in breach of coronavirus laws if they need to and stay with family or friends. However people must still do everything they can to minimise the risk from the virus, Manchester Council bosses say.

direct to your inboxTorrential rain across Greater Manchester is set to continue into the night as Storm Christoph hits the region.The Met Office has issued a number of weather warnings across the UK, with an amber warning in place for rain.It's in force until Thursday lunchtime, with forecasters warning of potential flooding.Flood alerts are already in place for some areas surrounding the River Mersey, River Irwell and River Bollin in Greater Manchester for the next 48 hours.Chief Meteorologist