Today, Monday 19 March 2018, police have received a number of reports of threats made to schools across Greater Manchester.

Specialist officers are working to determine the nature of the reports and are speaking directly with the schools and local authorities.

Although it is thought that there is no risk to the public, the police have a duty to take such threats seriously and so they have launched a full investigation.

More than 400 schools and colleges across the country received an email which claimed a bomb had been planted and would be detonated if cash wasn't handed over. 

Police forces in other areas of the UK, including, London, Bristol, Liverpool, Bedfordshire and the North East are among those investigating.

The investigation seems to have come from a number of schools across the UK reporting that they had been sent what appears to be a fake bomb threat email, asking for money.

Assistant Chief Constable Vanessa Jardine, said:

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“I understand that parents and the general public will be very concerned and I want to assure you that we are working closely with all of the schools to ensure the safety of pupils and staff. 

“We are carrying out extensive enquiries to understand the full circumstances and although there is not currently believed to be any direct threat, as with any report of this nature, they are all being thoroughly investigated.

“This is an ongoing incident and we will provide updates as soon as we can.”

Tickets for the annual boutique music festival, Irlam Live 2018, are already on sale and the line-up for this year's music festival looks better than ever as they are set to rock and pop the stage in Irlam. Whether you’re a ‘System Addict’, ‘King Of Wishful Thinking’, ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’, ‘Perfect 10’ or just the ‘Walking On Sunshine’ type, there is something for you.

The Saturday 2nd of June line up so far features...

Go West, The South, Republica, 5 Star, Katrina - minus her Waves, Jaki Graham, Twisted Soul, Kev Gurney's Club Tropica, Amanda Heywood & Mr Willson's Back Liners.

With the Sunday line-up to be announced soon.

It’s gonna be a fun-filled varied weekend and an awesome festival experience. Expect some of the biggest songs from the 80s and the 90s.

Go West are defiantly one of the iconic bands of the 80’s and they will bring a real party feel to Irlam Live. Their hits include ‘Don’t Look Down’, ‘We Close Our Eyes’, ‘King of Wishful Thinking’, ‘Call Me’, ‘Goodbye Girl’.

The South have tones of back catalogue material mainly from 90’s. Here’s a few if you need reminding, ‘Good As Gold’, ‘Rotherdam’, ‘Perfect 10’, ‘One Last Lovesong’,  ‘Song For Whoever’, ‘Bell Bottomed Tears’,  ‘A Little Time’, ‘Don’t Marry Her’, ‘You Keep It All In’, ‘Old Red Eyes Is Back’ and this list goes on and on.

During the eighties Five Star were massive, they were the UK’s version of The Jacksons and sold millions of records all over the world. Here are a few you can look forward to. ‘All Fall Down’, ‘Let Me Be the One’, ‘Love Take Over’, ‘System Addict’, ‘Can’t Wait Another Minute’, ‘Find the Time’, ‘Rain or Shine’, ‘Stay Out of My Life’, ‘The Slightest Touch’.

Republic burst onto the scene mid-nineties, earning their cult status with songs like ‘Ready To Go’ and Drop Dead Gorgeous’. This is going to ROCK!!!!!

Jaki Graham is another eighties icon lots of hits and a real powerhouse.  ‘Could It Be I’m Falling in Love’, ‘Round and Around’, Mated’, Set Me Free’, ‘Breaking Away’, ‘Step Right Up’ and lots more.

Katrina from Katrina and the Wave was the UK’s last winner of the Eurovision Contest with ‘Love Shine A Light’ but the 80’s anthem you’ll all be singing out loud is  ‘Walking On Sunshine’.

Also performing is local band Twisted Soul and Amanda Heywood. Kev Gurney’s Club Tropicana will be providing the between acts entertainment and the awesome Mr Wilson’s Second Liner’s are joining the party with their unique style of 80’s and 90’s tunes in a New Orleans jazz style.

All in all a pretty awesome day awaits. Get your tickets today and we look forward to welcoming you to Irlam Live 2018. x

Tickets can be booked at this link : http://irlamlive.co.uk/buy-tickets/

It has become the first council in Greater Manchester to sign a national good practice collection protocol designed to make collecting the vital tax fairer and more effective. 

As part of the new way of working, City Mayor Paul Dennett has exempted around 50 care leavers aged 18 to 21 from paying council tax to give them a boost into independence.

He has also stopped the use of bailiffs to collect a debt from residents signed up to the council tax reduction scheme if they fall deeply into arrears. Over 25,700 pensioners and people on the lowest incomes qualify for the council tax reduction scheme.

Instead, anyone in arrears is being invited to sit down with an independent debt advisor and get help to work out a sustainable council tax payment plan and sort out their long-term financial situation. 

So far 135 people have been spared a visit from the bailiffs by taking up the ‘coffee and chat’ option. Last year Salford City Council sent nearly 22,000 cases to the bailiffs to recover £1.9 million.

Deputy City Mayor Councillor Paula Boshell said:

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“This protocol is supported by Citizens Advice and the Local Government Association so it’s based on nationally tried and tested good practice. I’m proud that we are the first council in Greater Manchester to adopt it and help those people on our council tax reduction scheme.

“We’ve kept the council tax reduction scheme going for three years now. Pensioners may be able to get up to 100% council tax relief while people on the lowest incomes may get up to 85% discount if they qualify.

“We’re clear that this is about collecting what is owed to fund vital council services. But we’re equally clear that piling legal fees onto an already unmanageable debt for people who are struggling to pay is not the way forward. We want to help them get onto a sound financial footing as part of our work in tackling poverty.”

 

Tom Togher, Chief Executive of Salford Citizen’s Advice, who jointly signed the LGA and Citizens Advice’s Collection of Council Tax Good Practice Protocol, said:

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“We’re proud to support Salford City Council in implementing this protocol.

“Anyone who is struggling to pay council tax, gas or electricity bills or has debts should get help and advice as soon as they can. Very often a little help early on can save problems from becoming serious.

 

Anyone who needs debt, benefits or welfare rights advice can phone  0161 974 6721 or  check out www.salfordcab.org.uk for details of their nearest Citizens Advice or contact Salford City Council welfare rights advice 0800 345 7375 (Monday to Friday 10am to 12 noon), debt advice 0800 345 7323 (Monday and Wednesday 1pm to 4pm) or see  www.salford.gov.uk/advice-and-support

The Google Digital Garage Bus will be in Morrisons Car Park in Eccles on 17th March 2018 9:30-5pm, offering training to anyone that would like to grow their business, expand their career prospects or just to give themselves a confidence boost with flexible and personalised training courses designed to build your confidence and help you thrive.

Sessions on the day will include:

10:30 am - 12:30 pm First Steps Online

12:30 pm - 1 pm Build a CV

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Email for Work

3 pm - 4 pm Stay safe online

At the time of the accident, it was revealed that the defendant had traces of a cocaine-based product in his system, which he claimed had been taken the night before.

The accident happened in October 2017 on Stern Avenue, in Ordsall.

Mr Higgins was not prosecuted for dangerous or careless driving after hitting the child which ran out into the road without warning.

Higgins told officers "he did not feel his driving had been impaired". The court was told that he was not responsible for the boy’s life-changing injuries.

After admitting aggravated vehicle taking (A Grey Kia Cee'd), drug driving, driving without insurance and driving without a licence, Mr Higgins was handed a suspended sentence.

Since opening three months ago the Gatehouse has seen a high number of armed forces veterans and their families seeking support and advice from the charities. This has ranged from benefits advice and support to housing and homelessness, including education and opportunities.

The bid was backed by Salford City Council.

The Gatehouse is open every day 10am to 2pm for armed forces families and the wider community.

On Thursdays, there is a specific focus on appointments for armed forces families. These have proved popular and you can make an appointment by emailing info@shouldertosoldier.org.uk or telephoning 07515892720.

Salford City Council has two councillors who are veterans’ champions.

Councillor Margaret Morris said:  

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“We are absolutely committed to providing support for our armed forces community. But only by working collaboratively can we provide effective and efficient services which support their needs. In Salford, we are privileged to have an active volunteer community who work tirelessly to provide much needed additional support.”

And Councillor Barry Warner added:

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“The Gatehouse is proving to be a huge success and the recognition by the Ministry of Defence of the support services provided by both Shoulder to Soldier and CSIN is very much welcomed. The council will continue to do our best to support our armed forces community and the amazing people who work with them.”

Linda Fisher, Shoulder to Soldier said:

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“This is fantastic news, we have specifically been given funding to support anyone who is ex-forces or an Armed Forces Family member who finds themselves homeless or in need of housing support and advice. It means we will provide a dedicated service to support those in most need.

This is on the back of our extensive work and experience in delivering this across Cheshire and we are looking forward to doing the same in Greater Manchester.

Already we have supported a Salford entrenched rough sleeper into accommodation.  Taking him off the streets. Its important that when families are at their most vulnerable they have someone to turn to. We are looking forward to continuing to make a difference across Greater Manchester.”

 

Joe Barnwell, CSIN Armed Forces Unit 10 said:

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“We have been overwhelmed by the support from the local community and armed forces families since we have opened. We have provided daily support advice, training and real opportunities for those in need. We are working with the council and other key partners to ensure that the right support advice and training along with opportunities to integrate and evolve is available in the heart of the local community.  

Whilst Working with key strategic partners we are particularly pleased to be working closely with Shoulder to Soldier a charity whose values and aims mirror our own  Together we are making a difference when and where it matters with real support for real families

The Gatehouse is open every day between 10am and 2pm and everyone is welcome”

 

admin@salfordunit10.co.uk   or telephone 0771 3333 536

First phase opportunities will include new residential of all tenures, both low rise housing and high density, a new hotel & conferencing facilities, new live/work units, multi-storey car parks and the opportunity to repurpose existing heritage buildings to provide social and cultural spaces and a new school.

Speaking at the MIPIM property conference in France, Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“We want a partner, or a number of partners, who truly understand the nature of public/private partnerships and can deliver high-quality urban growth.

“This is one of the region’s most exciting opportunities to create a truly world class place to live, learn and visit with a university at its heart.

“We have seen the march of development out of Manchester to Greengate to Chapel Street and New Bailey and now The Crescent. Salford has a strong track record of already working with good partners delivering great things.

“Turning this masterplan into a reality on the ground will require significant capital investment and partnership working and we are determined that it will not be done piecemeal with the best plots picked off but delivered as a whole with culture and placemaking at its heart. This will ensure the benefits of growth have the widest inclusive impact across the city.”

 

The partnership approach will see the university consolidate development to the north of The Crescent on its campus. This allows the city council and university-owned land and property to be designed and planned in a comprehensive way, opening up sites for a modern, residential environment already surrounded by 25 hectares of historic parkland, riverside and jewels of history such as Peek Hall, the old fire station and Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

The masterplan, by 5plus Architects, creates a high-quality cultural gateway connecting these historic assets to new development significantly enhancing the visitor draw to the area. The gateway will be rejuvenated with quality landscaping and activation of ground floors with new cultural, food and drink uses at Fire Station Square.

It also outlines extensive new landscaping and transport links including the potential to turn the line of the former Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal into a high-quality walking - cycling connection and linear park.

5plus director Tony Skipper said:

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“The brief was to create a coherent and connected city district and it is unashamedly ambitious. It crystalised into five distinct areas which both respect the uniqueness and soul of Salford and allow it to grow and encourage all forms of thinking to flourish.”

CBRE have been retained as advisors on the project.

A new website for the project has been launched www.salfordcrescent.com where Investors and developers can register interest and keep updated with information.

After a few hours of disruption to daily life along Chapel Street, what was thought to be a WW2 era bomb turns out to not be a WW2 era bomb.

Roads were cordoned off after builders discovered what they thought to be a WW2 era bomb on a building site on chapel street. After a close inspection from the brave men of the Army Bomb Disposal Service, it was determined that it was not a bomb.

It is still unknown what it was which aroused suspicions but the old 'better safe than sorry' is always the best course of action in such cases.

Our only concern now is that Chapel Street seems to have moved to Ordsall...

One of the main arteries between Salford and Manchester is currently cordoned off after builders have apparently unearthed what is said to be an unexploded WW2 bomb.

Update 18:30

The cordon has now been completely lifted and cars and pedestrians are now being allowed back into the area. It looks like the Hun are not to blame for this evenings disruption. If you are heading into the trafic then please stay safe as it is still pretty packed.

Update 18:28

Looks like its a false alarm as the cordon has now been lifted and the police and bomb squad are now leaving the area.

Update 18:25

People are being told to evacuate 'The Edge' as the police and bomb squad move in.

Update 18:19

The Bomb disposal unit is now on scene.

 Update 18:00

  The Army Bomb Disposal Unit is on its way...

Police are currently on scene and people are being told to avoid the area around blackfriars and the lowry hotel until the incident is dealt with.

A police spokesperson has said:

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"Shortly before 4pm on Monday 12 March 2018 police were called to report of a suspicious item on a building site by Clowes Street and Chapel Street in Ordsall.

"Bomb disposal experts are making their way to the scene and a 100m cordon has been put in place which includes areas around the Lowry Hotel."

 

The whole area is currently on lockdown and buses are currently being rerouted around the affected area.

We are being told that there is a huge police presence but as yet there have been no evacuations from surrounding buildings.

We will update this article as we get more information.

Andrew Holt, 51 years old, died at his home on Sarah Street on Thursday 8 March 2018.

It is believed that Andrew has a sister.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Police Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 4687.

City Mayor Paul Dennett has signed a new two-year contract which will see the council use green electricity in all council-owned buildings.

The moves come a month after the council made a formal commitment to the UK100 network to commit to the use of 100 percent clean energy in Salford by 2050. 

The city joins over one hundred cities and local authorities across the country who have committed to cut carbon emissions.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“In Salford, we are absolutely committed to providing clean energy by 2050. We have more than 100 photo-voltaic solar panels on the town hall roof to help cut our bills and carbon footprint. We also have solar panels on three schools thanks to funding raised by the community and we have electric cars for use by staff as they travel around the city.

“Salford is also the home to the UK’s only city-wide Carbon Literacy Consortium. It is important the clean energy message is spread far and wide across our city and we’re backing the Big Clean Switch campaign to encourage residents to switch to a clean energy supplier.

“By changing the way we use energy we will reduce emissions, make communities healthier and protect the planet for future generations. We’re playing our part in tackling climate change and reducing our carbon footprint.”

 

Residents can do their bit too and are encouraged to compare clean electricity tariffs and switch to renewable energy with ease at https://bigcleanswitch.org/gm/ - the average savings so far is over £300 a year.

All three of the defendants, Zac Bolland, Courtney Brierley and David Worrall pleaded not guilty to four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life, as members of the children's family sat weeping in the public gallery listening to the charges being read out.

All three confirmed their names but otherwise remained stood silent.

On December 11, 2017, 15 year old Demi Pearson, her eight-year-old brother Brandon, and younger sister Lacie, aged just seven, died when a blaze ripped through their home in Jackson Street, Walkden. Further tragedy was to fall upon the family as their sister, three-year-old Lia, lost her battle for life and sadly died two days later.

The 35-year-old mother of the children, Michelle Pearson was also seriously injured in the attack and is said to be still heavily sedated and being treated in hospital as a result, fortunately, 2 other juveniles in the home managed to escape the inferno before crews arrived.

The trial has been set to start on April 30th, 2018 and is expected to last four weeks.

All three of the accused have been remanded into custody until their trial date.

A 50-year-old woman is in a critical condition after a stabbing that took place on Wednesday evening in Eastcombe Avenue in Kersal.

It is thought that the ladies husband was also injured and hospitalised in the attack, his wife remains in a critical condition. 

Police say that a 20-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, he is currently being held in custody as police question him about the incident.

A statement from GMP read:

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“Shortly before 9.30pm on Wednesday 7 March 2018 police were called to reports of a stabbing at a property on Eastcombe Avenue in Salford.

“On arrival, officers discovered a woman in her 50s who had suffered serious stab wounds.

“A man in his 50s had also suffered a number of slash wounds.

“Both currently remain in hospital and the woman is in a critical condition.

“A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He remains in custody for questioning."

 

Forensics officers scoured the area today but the cordon surrounding the home on this small residential cul-de-sac has now been lifted and only a couple of officers remain present. 

We will update this article as we learn more.

For decades, the Lower Kersal Morris Dancing Troupe has kept young girls off the streets and on to the dance floor to learn the art of morris dancing.

Now the club, which has taught hundreds of youngsters how to dance, has been given a much-needed financial boost by housing association Salix Homes.

Principal Ann Smith has been running the troupe since 1983, with the aim of providing a fun and inexpensive hobby for the children of Salford.

Now 35 years later the club is still going strong and Ann works with her daughter Joanne Gibson to run the dancing sessions, which are held at St Sebastian’s Community Centre on Wednesdays and St George’s Day Centre on Thursdays.

Despite morris dancing having a perception of being a dying art form, Joanne says that couldn’t be further from the truth in Salford.

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“Although morris dancing is a fairly niche activity, we draw girls in from miles around,” she said.

“We’ve built up a real sense of community through dancing and word of mouth has played a big part in allowing us to grow. As we’ve been going for such a long time, we’re starting to see the daughters and young relatives of girls that danced for us many years ago carrying on the family dancing tradition. Once you’ve danced, it’s in your blood.”

 

Salix Homes has just awarded the dance troupe £480 as part of its community grant programme Springboard, which supports projects and initiatives in Salford that boost community spirit, promote health and wellbeing, reduce isolation or improve the environment.

The successful bid has helped fund a medal ceremony for the young dancers.

Joanne added:

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“Receiving money from Salix Homes has been a big thing for our group as it’s provided us with much-needed financial relief. We’ve been able to hold a medal ceremony for our girls to reward them for their fantastic work and motivation.

“Seeing how proud they are of themselves and how much fun they’re having is one of the main things that motivates me to keep the group going.”

 

Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 properties in Salford, has also awarded another local dance troupe – The Kersal Line Dancers - with £450 to help fund their weekly dance sessions at St Aiden’s Church on Littleton Road.

Mick Walsh, a neighbourhood manager at Salix Homes, said:

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“Dancing is an excellent way of bringing people together and boosting health and wellbeing, so Salix Homes is very proud to support both these dance troupes in Salford.

“It’s really fantastic to see young people in Salford morris dancing and we hope this Springboard grant will go some way to ensuring this wonderful British tradition continues to flourish in the area.”

 

Since launching last year, Salix Homes has donated more than £50,000 to local groups and projects in Salford.

To find out more about how to apply for a Springboard grant, go to:https://www.salixhomes.org/springboard

One stinking mess was dumped on a patch of vacant ground in Clarence Street, Lower Broughton around 4.15pm on Tuesday and a second mess was left on land in Edward Street on Wednesday, right in the heart of the Cambridge Industrial Estate

Council officers are now appealing for anyone who saw any tipper trucks or skip wagons in the area over the past few days or people on the sites to come forward with details in confidence. Any dashcam footage of waste wagons in the area would also be very helpful.

Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said:

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“I am absolutely furious about this. Salford City Council has just lost another £11 million from its budget, hitting frontline services hard and we now have to waste public money cleaning up after these criminals.

“This looks like processed household waste which has been mulched down or shredded at a waste transfer station somewhere for incineration or landfill.Whether that’s an illegal or legal station we don’t yet know but we will do everything we can to find and prosecute those responsible.

“The waste is giving off an awful smell of rotting rubbish but the fumes are not toxic. We would advise people, though, not to go near the waste. We have secured the sites and have already begun clearing it from the site today (Thursday).

“I’d urge all members of the public and the business community to be vigilant. If they see anyone flytipping please note any details you can and report them as soon as possible online through our website or phone 0161 793 2500 during office hours.”

 

Salford City Council has been running Operation Pandora to investigate and prosecute fly-tippers for the last few years and has successfully prosecuted 50 flytippers for 61 offences.

Callum Sykes (22/10/1995) of Repton Avenue was released from prison in November 2017 after serving part of a sentence for an affray and has since breached the conditions of his licence. 

Sykes has links with the Urmston, Flixton, Irlam and Eccles areas of Manchester. 

Anyone with information about Sykes’ whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101, or make an anonymous report through the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

Facebook can be an excellent place to pick up a good bargain and it has many local groups that you can visit where they can be found, at other times it can turn into a nightmare, as a string of incidents we have had reported to us over the past week, clearly shows.

Firstly a lady told us how she was conned of £90 after buying a fridge from a seller in Eccles, the item was described as extremely clean, tested and fully functioning, sadly as she was later to find, that was not to be the case.

The freezer was delivered in a van to her home by the seller, who told her not to plug it in right away as the gasses needed to settle, which in all fairness is general advice when buying a fridge freezer and expected.

However, the unit was left to settle for several hours and upon plugging it in, it did not work, it was completely dead.

The lady attempted to contact the seller but was ignored, her husband later managed to get a response whereupon he was told that "the freezer was working when it left the shop."

The pair were left out of pocket and with a whole months shopping left to defrost and spoil.

In another incident, a lady claims that she was sold a sofa from another seller from the same area that quite literally fell apart within a day or so of getting it in her home, upon inspection, it was found that the only thing holding it together was a broken nail and 2 small screws.

The worst part, however, was when she turned her heating on, the radiator behind her warmed up and the house was filled with the stench of urine. 

She tried to contact the seller but got no answer and after trying a few times over a period of two days, the phone number was completely disconnected and the Facebook profile deleted.

And in yet another incident a man told us that he bought another leather sofa described as being in perfect condition and almost new from a Broughton group, only to find that it had a huge rip on the back which had attempted to disguise by using tape on the underside. The rip almost went unspotted as it was dark at the time of delivery, fortunately, a security light was activated as they passed and the rip was clearly seen. Had that not happened then it would have been put against a wall in the house and probably gone unnoticed until it was too late.

Upon confronting the man about it, he was met with claims that he had actually done it whilst they were unloading a chair from the van, the seller became quite stroppy and threatening.

Fortunately, the buyer had his two brothers in the property with him and the seller was given his marching orders.

On this occasion, the seller reloaded his van and left empty-handed in double quick time.

The temptation to grab a bargain from social media sites can be great, and in many cases, most people have no problems at all, sadly for some, it does not go to plan and they often end up out of pocket. 

It is best advised to always buy from a reputable shop or second-hand dealer, always ask to see the item working beforehand and always ensure you get a receipt for goods purchased.

If you have been a victim of a scam, you should immediately contact the police via 101 and give them as many details as possible, if your item has been delivered, ensure you get the registration number of the van/truck which they used. This can help police trace the scammers and recover your money.

Members of the public should be reminded of the dangers of buying electrical 'white goods' as they can be faulty and untested, which could lead to them causing fires or electrical shock.

We have passed on the information we have to trading standards and will follow up if and when we get a reply.

Staff at the McColl's Convenience Store on Fiddlers Lane in Irlam were subjected to an attack by two men on Friday 2nd March.

The two men entered the shop around 6.15pm; one stayed by the door to keep lookout whilst the other went up to the counter and made threats to staff with a large curved knife, demands were made to empty the money from the tills into a bag.

Both males then ran from the store into Windsor Avenue to a waiting car which was parked in Silver Street facing Windsor Avenue with no lights on.

A third getaway driver was in the driving seat. The two men jumped into the car and it sped off, with no lights on, turning left onto Windsor Avenue towards Silver Street.

Police do not know which way it turned onto Silver Street.

The car was either silver or a light colour.

One male is described as being white, about 5’4” tall, of slim build, wearing a black jacket and black joggers.

He was carrying a Bag for Life (freezer bag).

Were you in the area of Windsor Avenue/Silverdale Avenue/Silver Street around 6.15pm yesterday afternoon? Did you see the two males get into the car?

If you did do you know what make/model car it was and/or can you remember all or part of the registration?

If you can help in any way at all please ring 101 and quote Crime Number 056710f/18.

Littleton Road is closed this afternoon until a downed tree (which is blocking part of the carriageway) can be removed.

High winds which have been whipping through the region have brought havoc and Salford has not escaped its cold icy blasts.

A large willow tree fell onto part of the car park of the local health centre in Kersal this morning, prompting a speedy response by police, fire and ambulance who quickly attended the scene.

We were told that a man in his 60's became trapped in his car which after it was hit by the falling tree, fortunately, he has no serious injuries and did not require hospitalisation. Paramedics treated him at the scene.

A spokesperson for the North West Ambulance Serice told us:

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We were called at 11.24am to Littleton Road to a man in his 60s whose car had been hit by a tree.

We dispatched an advanced paramedic, an officer, an ambulance crew and a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle.

The patient had no injuries so was not taken to the hospital.

One passerby called Colin told us:

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"All credit to the emergency services who responded within minutes, which under the circumstances is outstanding.

"It has been one hell of a rough few days and they are currently stretched far and wide but STILL doing an amazing job looking after us".

Littleton Road remained closed off until the incident was dealt with and the tree could be removed.

Photo Copyrights: Main photo (North West Ambulance Service), Secondary Photo (Victoria Louise Murray)

He will face charges of endangering the safety of an aircraft, endangering the safety of persons or property, failing to discharge responsibilities as the pilot in command and failing to carry documents on a flight. 

He will also answer further charges of illegal public transport, flying otherwise than in accordance with a licence, flying otherwise than in accordance with the conditions or limitations contained in the aircraft flight manual and flying without insurance. 

The 51-year-old has also been summonsed for two counts of failing to disclose information to make a gain (fraud) between June 2016 and April 2017. 

Just before 9.40am on Saturday 9 September 2017, police were called to reports that a light aircraft had crashed on farmland shortly after take-off from Barton Airport. 

Four people were on board at the time of the incident, one man suffered a minor head injury and a serious arm injury and another man suffered a serious head wound which was not life-threatening. 

Main Image: Colin Horne