Johnny Depp couldn’t do it! Mamma Mia director brings opera to Salford and talks challenges of dealing with divas
Phyllida Lloyd is directing Opera North’s production of Britten’s Peter Grimes
Bolton nursery puts ‘children’s welfare at risk’ say Ofsted – but they hit back calling report ‘totally wrong’
Deane Nursery in Bolton has said the report was ‘unfair’
Student influx into Manchester sees soaring shopping sales – as spending smashes national average
There was a 2.6% September rise compared to 0.7% nationally
Manchester’s Unsung Heroes: Racket whiz kid turns flat-lining club into beating heart of UK squash
Hirusha Henricus became club chairman at 17
Rugby League World Cup blog: A look at the minnows and their quarter-final chances
Smaller nations have chance to impress in quieter mid-week action
Before you tuck in at Trafford Centre, look for the stars! Food court eatery gets appalling one star in food hygiene
Shere Khan Express was visited by a food hygiene team
Befriended, chatted up… then mugged: Wigan partygoer thinks she’s made a friend but is instead robbed
They began chatting while walking along Frog Lane
CSKA Moscow boss hits out at ‘overreaction’ over racist Yaya Toure chanting ahead of Manchester City tie
Toure suffered money chants when City beat CSKA in the Champions League
Let’s get Real in Sociedad: Manchester United’s David De Gea wants ‘one foot in Champions League knockout rounds’
United travel to Basque club aiming for third group stage win
Rochdale family have lucky escape from house blaze after firefighters discover no batteries in smoke alarm
Fire and smoke filled the house on Pullman Street, Deepish
This season’s black is… latex: World’s leading fetish club promise to sex-up Manchester’s mainstream fashion
Fetish club Torture Garden has big plans for Manchester