Stockport and Stretford to get millions in government cash to improve high streets

direct to your inboxA driver was caught on Deansgate with stolen taxi plates on his Ford Mondeo - before he led police on a 20-minute high-speed chase. Anas Abuhdaima, 26, initially stopped for officers in Manchester city centre after they pulled him over.

direct to your inboxMajor plans to transform Manchester city centre’s landmark Debenhams building have been recommended for approval by council bosses. The Rylands building on Market Street is for an extensive makeover which will see it restored to its original Art Deco glory both inside and outside.

Is there ever a time where Michelle Keegan doesn’t look completely flawless? Well this week the Northern lass certainly did as she was spotted filming a wedding scene for comedy-drama Brassic in her hometown of Manchester. The former Coronation Street star, 33, looked stunning in a peacock blue velvet co-ord and fans are desperate to know where the look is from.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is now tracking the ‘worst case scenario’ for the pandemic’s third wave, it is understood, as patient numbers far exceed those in the April peak.Hospitals in Salford and Wigan are under particular pressure, with more than one health insider reporting the system as a whole to now be averaging 92pc occupancy outside of critical care.In Wigan, where it is understood almost two thirds of coronavirus cases are now the new strain, it is understood the hospital

direct to your inboxA 14-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a Stockport restaurant owner.The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in the dock at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (January 13).As detailed on the court list, he is charged with murder; causing death by dangerous driving; causing death by driving a vehicle, namely a Mercedes C220; using a motor vehicle, namely a Mercedes C220, on a road without third party

'needlessly' taking up spaces after some key workers said they'd been refused places for their children, despite working in schools and for the NHS.

direct to your inboxTwo areas of Stockport have some of the highest coronavirus rates in Greater Manchester.Only four places in the region recorded more than 800 cases per 100,000 people during the week to January 5 - and these included both Hazel Grove West and Heald Green East.Hazel Grove West saw a huge 213pc week-on-week rise, with the number of cases leaping from 15 to 47 over the seven day period.Latest Public Health England figures put its infection rate at 866.5 - the highest figure in

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United could welcome back four players from injury for their pivotal game in hand at Burnley on Tuesday.Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof missed the FA Cup win over Watford on Saturday night and Eric Bailly was forced off before half-time following a collision with Dean Henderson.However, the quartet all trained on Monday morning and, with Edinson Cavani back from suspension, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to have a fully fit squad

direct to your inboxBritain's Got Talent has been postponed, ITV has confirmed.The talent show was due to begin filming its audition stages later this month. This usually sees the BGT cast and crew travel to audition acts in London and Manchester.

direct to your inboxIt's not the first time we've seen the high streets of Manchester left empty...

direct to your inboxDavid Oliver is an experienced NHS Consultant Physician and medical writer from Manchester.He has played a variety of national medical leadership and policy roles and has a weekly column in the British Medical Journal.He currently manages Covid wards at a hospital in the south of England. Prof Oliver has spoken to The Mirror about the ‘relentless’ experience of working on wards throughout the pandemic. I've been an NHS doctor for 31 years and worked in some demanding

direct to your inboxReddish Vale View has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Stockport - and cases are rising sharply.Data from Public Health England (PHE) shows the area registered 480 cases per 100,000 people during the week to December 29.There were 34 cases recorded during this seven day period, 21 more than the previous week, representing an increase of 161.5pc.Its infection rate is the fourth highest in Greater Manchester.Nearby Heaton Moor recorded the third highest infection rate

direct to your inboxA pub landlady who was fined £1,000 by police for 'breaking Tier 4 rules' on New Year's Eve has said she did nothing wrong. Kelly, who runs the Norfolk Arms in Marple Bridge, Stockport, was fined £1,000 by Greater Manchester Police, who said she'd been serving customers in defiance of Tier 4 rules.

direct to your inboxStockport MP Nav Mishra has called for primary schools in Tier 4 to remain closed while coronavirus infection rates continue to rise.Primary schools across London and in south east England are to stay shut following a government U-turn, due to the new variant of coronavirus driving sky-high rates.But Mr Mishra says if schools in those areas are not safe to open for the new term, then neither are those in areas under the toughest restrictions.This includes Greater Manchester

This is how to maximise your time off work in 2021 by creatively booking annual leave to get the most time off in a single stretch with minimal holiday days taken:But it might be wise to get your requests in early as these holiday booking hacks have become popular with savvy employees hoping to get the most time off for their leave. 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

Covid-19 variant is putting an extra strain on already stretched hospital resources.In London, one hospital declared they were unable to provide 'high standard critical care' because it is understaffed and swamped by Covid-19 patients. A campaigning doctor revealed on  Twitter  on New Year's Eve that the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel had sent an email to notify staff of the situation.

direct to your inboxA man has appeared in court accused of having a knife in Stockport town centre.Police were called to Warren Street shortly before 2pm on Monday to reports of a man with a knife.Officers attended and Lee Fardy, 43, of Stonemill Terrace, Lancashire Hill, was arrested.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by following the instructions hereHe appeared at Stockport Magistrates' Court on