The biggest and most talked-about restaurants to open in Greater Manchester in 2020... despite everything

Whitefield, the former mill town south of Bury, is fast becoming one of Greater Manchester's most sought-after places to live. While neighbouring Prestwich has lapped up its title as the 'new Didsbury' for several years, Whitefield has been quietly carving out its own identity.

direct to your inboxThe biggest vaccination rollout ever has started in earnest across Greater Manchester.Health teams have been working around the clock to make sure the Covid-19 jabs can be administered as quickly and smoothly as possible. Across the city-region 87,697 people have already received their first dose, as of January 12.

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

direct to your inboxThe latest data on the coronavirus infection rates for each local authority in England show that 98 pc of the country has seen a rise. Of the 315 local areas in England, 309 have seen an increase in Covid-19 case rates and only six (2 pc) have seen a fall.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police officer who repeatedly sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed.Farooq Ahmed, 37, walked into a police station with a confession note before Christmas.

direct to your inboxThe Army is being drafted into Greater Manchester from today to help carry out 'targeted' asymptomatic testing for coronavirus, the government has announced.The Ministry of Defence said 800 military personnel including soldiers would deploy to support community testing plans drawn up by Greater Manchester Combined Authority.The news comes as the latest Covid-19 vaccine - from Oxford AstraZeneca - was administered for the first time on Monday.The MOD said personnel from nine

direct to your inboxDozens of chickens have been dumped across Greater Manchester after 'panic buyers' bought them to lay eggs. The RSPCA has warned that the birds are being dumped in huge numbers due to lockdown and fears of the return of bird flu.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

Do you know a great vegan restaurant we've missed? Let us know in the comments below. This is a newcomer for the city and is due to open for takeaway at least in early January.Four Side comes from local chef Dan Hope, who was also the man behind Firebird Hope and Krum doughnuts.He's now taking over the old Earth Cafe site (the cafe sadly closed down this year) with his fully-vegan, Detroit-style square pizzas, with around nine flavours on sale at any one time.The alcohol-free restaurant will

Christmas over-indulgence or need to stretch your legs and get out into nature, these local walks are sure to blow off the cobwebs.

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inboxWith Greater Manchester being moved into Tier 4, people are having to get used to another set of rules.Despite some areas of society being closed off due to the new restrictions, others are able to remain open.Recycling centres across our region are permitted to remain open, even in Tier 4.This will be welcome news to people who have plenty of waste to remove after the festive holidays.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.

direct to your inboxDoctors and paramedics say they are bracing themselves for a new tide of Covid patients to hit Greater Manchester's hospitals within weeks. Speaking as plans for the region's move to Tier 4 were announced and the return to school for secondary pupils was delayed, Dr Carole Gavin, a consultant in Greater Manchester, said concerns were growing as hospitals in the south battle to find beds as infection rates - largely found to be caused by the new mutant strain - rise.

direct to your inboxA Greater Manchester Police chief has urged people to stay at home in Tier 4 tomorrow night instead of celebrating New Year's Eve as they normally would. Under Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, people are required by law to remain at home unless they need to leave their home for essential reasons.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester and even more areas of England are set to be moved to Tier 4 restrictions from tomorrow.Matt Hancock announce the latest tier review in the House of Commons today, and the new rules will take effect from Thursday December 31. Tier 4 is currently the highest level of Covid-19 measures that can be allocated to an area - with much of the south east and London already under the toughest rules.

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coronavirus measures, retailers classed as essential may stay open, along with other businesses providing essential services.

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester is to be placed into the toughest Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions, Matt Hancock has announced.The Health Secretary made an announcement on the tiering review across England in the House of Commons this afternoon, revealing yet more areas will face the strictest restrictions.The aim is to reduce social contact in Tier 4 areas - previously limited to London, parts of the South East and the East of England.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester

discovery of the Nazi symbol in a police officer's locker at Pendleton police station in Salford on July 19 prompted a significant criminal investigation, which included samples being taken for DNA analysis. But five months on the M.E.N.