'This time last year, I would have been sorted for Christmas. Because of coronavirus, I lost my job and have to use a food bank to feed my children': Life at a food bank in the year of Covid-19

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.

Sign up to the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from school closures to ways to entertain the kidsParents are being reminded not to miss the deadline for primary school applications for children starting this September.Families across Greater MAnchester have until tomorrow, Friday, January 15, to submit their application to their local authority.If parents fail to apply, their child could miss out on a school place and with families dealing with so many issues and home

straight to your inboxJoleon Lescott says he is "obsessed" with Manchester City ace Phil Foden.Lescott waxed lyrical about the 20-year-old midfielder following City's 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion.Foden scored the only goal of the game in the 44th minute, showing excellent touch and finishing skills after being set up by Kevin De Bruyne.The England international is now City's top scorer this season with eight goals in all competitions, to go along with five assists.After watching his

straight to your inbox every day for freeManchester United are finally back in the Premier League title race after flexing their muscles against Burnley.Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was able to rotate his midfield once again with Paul Pogba grasping his opportunity alongside Nemanja Matic and Bruno Fernandes with a match-winning goal and man-of-the-match display.

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates have been revealed, as cases continue to rise across Greater Manchester.Rates are still rising in all ten boroughs, but week-on-week percentage rises do not appear to be increasing as rapidly as they have in previous days.The average infection rate for England was the same as it was the previous week.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free MEN newsletterYou can sign up very simply by

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates have been revealed, as cases continue to rise across Greater Manchester.Cases are increasing in all ten boroughs, with Wigan remaining the worst hit area across our region.The statistics from Public Health England show that the average infection rate across England and in London has decreased.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

direct to your inboxThe latest coronavirus infection rates for Greater Manchester show cases are continuing to rise across all ten boroughs - but at a slower rate than they were.Statistics released by Public Health England show the post-Christmas rise in cases appears to have slowed.The average infection rate across England has dropped off slightly, while the average for Greater Manchester has flattened off.Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with the free

Sign up to the MySalford newsletter and don't miss a thing happening in and around the cityOnly four areas in Salford had fewer than 10 coronavirus cases last week.One of them has one of the lowest infection rates in Greater Manchester.And a further two neighbourhoods had 10 confirmed cases in the week ending December 29, one of which has historically been among the hardest hit.But the overall infection rate in Salford during this period has risen by 8 pc.The figures come from the latest data

direct to your inboxThese are some of the brilliant people who have been recognised in the 2021 New Year Honours list.The list features many people who have been going above and beyond in their professional lives or voluntarily to support their communities through the pandemic, as well as many Greater Manchester medics.They include a GP Dr Amir Hannan, who took on the challenge of joining Harold Shipman's old practice 20 years ago, and set about restoring patients' trust. Since then, he has

direct to your inboxThe New Year Honours list for 2020 has been revealed, celebrating Brits who have made significant contributions to society.While the full list this year is dominated by those working in the healthcare profession, on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic, there are plenty of nods for cultural and sporting achievements too.Famous faces in the worlds of television, film and sport have all been recognised in the prestigious list.Sheila Hancock will be made a Dame, while

direct to your inboxGreater Manchester's doctors and nurses feature heavily on the New Year Honours List. This year's list also includes many people who have gone above and beyond in their careers, or through voluntary work in the community, to help others throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

direct to your inbox A man has died after being hit by a car in Middleton on Christmas Eve. The 30 year-old pedestrian was involved in a collision with a grey BMW 320i M Sport on Rochdale Road just after 7.30pm on Thursday, December 24.Emergency services raced to the scene he was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

direct to your inboxA family is trying to track down the person behind a kindhearted random act of kindness.An envelope with a £5 note inside had been left in the car park of Asda in Chadderton on Christmas Eve.Inside the envelope, which had a Christmas tree drawn on it, the card read: "To whoever has found this, I hope you have a lovely Christmas, treat yourself."Keep smiling, there is light at the end of the tunnel!Get the latest updates from across Greater Manchester direct to your inbox with

direct to your inboxLike this entire year, Christmas Day in 2020 is anything but normal.It's a restricted, and for some quite sad time.But Greater Mancunians did have something to smile about today...

straight to your inbox every day for freeThere's no rest for Manchester United, who were last to play on Wednesday night and are first to kick off on Boxing Day. That gives Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad little time to prepare for a tough test at Leicester tomorrow, let alone fit in a proper Christmas Day with the family.

direct to your inboxA man in a Manchester United mask stands alone with his holdall bag in an empty, closed check-in hall. His story is anything but festive.He tells me he he left home following a row with his girlfriend and decided to jet off on a flight abroad on a whim.But now that he is in Manchester Airport with no ticket, he just wants to get back home to east Manchester.Last year I visited the airport on December 24 to capture the heartwarming moment couples reunited for the festive

Tyldesley, on December 15. After clipping a kerb, the vehicle veered into the path of an oncoming lorry.