The plastic-free pledge came after the River Tame, which flows through Greater Manchester, was declared the most polluted river in the world.

Sensing a sway in public demand for exotic new bar drinks, George Grant and Paul Delamere promptly purchased a home-brewing kit in 2012 and began churning out beers by the bucket-load – passing them on to pals at house parties.

This year, with England’s amazing and unexpected performance to remain in the tournament far longer than anyone could realistically have hoped, interest in the World Cup has been at an all-time high.

One Manchester centre has shown dogged determination to stand out from the crowd by opening the city’s first canine café – and it’s just celebrated its first year in business.

A new awards ceremony is launching to showcase the best individuals and organisations in Greater Manchester.

Legally Blonde: The Musical manages to be everything – a fun, fiery, empowering, extravagant, heartfelt production that never takes itself too seriously.

“Life is too short not to be something you love,” Kiefer Sutherland declares on what is surely a midsummer night in a sweltering Albert Hall.

The new Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor June Hitchen, was also on hand to mark the celebrations, which coincided with the 100 year anniversary of the end of the First World War.

About 100 soldiers are tackling the Saddleworth Moor blaze, that is now being treated as arson.

“Firstly, I would like to apologise to those of you involved in our little box-office mix-up. I do hope those of you affected will enjoy our little murder mystery just as much as you would have enjoyed Rock of Ages.”

For every shiny skyscraper and sparkling restaurant in Manchester, there’s a cavernous warehouse and tenebrous canal path.