Amid cancelled exams due to the coronavirus, UK ministers may take comfort from the country’s modest gains in the international PISA tests at the end of last year.

The day-long event has been organised by a coalition of local environmental groups and will take place at Methodist Central Hall on Oldham Street.

Ashton United and Curzon Ashton are both going for promotion to the Evostik Premier League this year, the first time in 17 seasons they’ve been competing in the same division.

Former Manchester United boss Ferguson agreed a rearranged date with the conference club to ensure he could open the community sports hall.

Peace activist Colin Parry insisted that the Government will open a dialogue with Isis at yesterday’s Oldham Peace Conference.

A 15-foot puppet joined thousands of anti-fracking protesters outside the Labour Conference in Manchester opposing the party’s leadership of being ‘bought in to the shale industry’s misguided vision’.

He may not have cut child benefits but Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Ed Balls showed he can cut a rug with his Gangnam Style dance routine in Manchester.

Employers are being encouraged to address homophobia at work after it revealed that one-in-five lesbian and gay people have experienced bullying from colleagues due to their sexual orientation.

United are preparing for one of the biggest matches in their history – a play-off final showdown with AFC Fylde for a spot in the Conference North.

Karl Marginson’s United face Ashton United tonight at Gigg Lane for a place in the play-off final against Fylde or Worksop Town

Fifth-placed Ashton eye three Evo-Stik Premier Division wins on the bounce at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday