Heywood, England News

A PRISON officer has been elected the first female leader of Rochdale Council. Lib Dem councillor Irene Davidson, 58, took the top job following at a meeting of her colleagues last week.

MOUNTAIN rescue volunteers have had one of their busiest weeks on records as they have rode to the rescue of icebound ambulance patients across East Lancashire.

A GP who was paid A 400,000 while he was suspended for three years acted dishonestly and let down his patients, a disciplinary hearing found.

Shoppers who were alerted to the shouts of a woman who was punched while being mugged managed to restrain her attacker as he tried to escape.

The mother of a baby girl who was left in a critical condition after an arson attack at their home has released a photograph of her injured child.

A flood warning issued for the Upper Irwell catchment area has been revised. The Environment Agency, which at 6.30am today belived areas around Farnworth, Whitefield, Little Lever, Radcliffe, Bury, Heywood, Whitworth and Bacup would be affected, say those districts are now in the clear.

Smart cars fitted with video cameras are to help catch drivers failing to stop at school crossing patrols in Greater Manchester.

DEVOTED couple Colin Poxton and Joan Carroll are proof that it is never too late to fall in love.

A two-year-old girl is in hospital after being rescued from a house fire in Greater Manchester.

A LEADING Labour councillor fears a reduction in fire cover in Bury for one day a week could compromise people's safety.

THREE Bury firefighters have been honoured for 20 years of exemplary service. Colin Moran, Peter Fletcher and Pete Bradley were each awarded long service and good conduct medals by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.

AMPUTEES undergoing rehabilitation are using computer games to improve their balance.

A gang who plotted to carry out a series of robberies across the North West have today, Friday 9 October 2009, been jailed for a total of more than 40 years at Manchester Crown Court.

THE role played by two Calder Valley men and others in the music industry is being marked next week when two blue plaques are unveiled at landmark sites.

CARE centres across Rochdale borough, which provide residential care for vulnerable people may face closure as part of the council's efficiency programme to save A 100M.

A SCIENCE teacher who shot to fame on The Apprentice is taking part in the Great North Run in memory of his late partner.

TWO elderly people from Rochdale have been admitted to hospital after contracting Legionnaires disease.

THEY say exams are getting easier. And a grandfather of two has made a fascinating discovery which he thinks proves the case once and for all - exam papers dating back to 1944.

LANCASHIRE LADIES will go into the England championship at Pleasington next week without four of the team that produced a stunning victory in the Northern Counties Match Week qualifier at Heswall.

NANCY Dell'Olio, the minister for sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP and the world blind land-speed record holder will lead this year's Peace Parade UK.