Life & Community
New street names raise eyebrows as Bowlands Hey expansion rolls on
Developer puts forward rural-themed names for final phase of nearly 600-home development on former farmland at Bowlands Hey
Life & Community
Day to day living in the North West
Life & Community
Confused about where your council tax goes? So are many others, say Bolton councillors
With misinformation on the rise, Bolton's town hall figures call for simpler, clearer explanations of council spending
Life & Community
Vandals rip up flowers and damage door at Westhoughton bowling club
Flowers torn out and damage left behind as volunteers appeal for help following latest act of vandalism at cherished community space
Life & Community
Police take action on dangerous parking in Westhoughton
Officers issue fines and conduct licence checks in response to residents’ concerns about road safety near schools
Life & Community
Undervalued and frustrated: the hidden challenges of unpaid carers
In this special investigation for Carers Week, Mia Mohamed Sueres and Lois Barnett shed light on the lives of local carers.
Life & Community
Fighting loneliness through cups of tea and conversation
In a small backroom behind a Wigan charity shop, tea, laughter and quiet kindness offer a powerful response to loneliness.
Life & Community
A dog called Mercy: the rescue that changed everything
How one Irish rescue dog sparked a £65,000 mission of love and why her memory still inspires Westhoughton's Sarah Dunscombe-Berry to help others.
Life & Community
First electric train runs between Wigan and Bolton in £100m upgrade milestone
Successful test run of electric train between Wigan and Bolton signals a greener, more reliable rail future for Westhoughton residents, rail operators say.
Life & Community
Man arrested on suspicion of money laundering after cash found in vehicle
Police seize vehicle with false plates and discover large sum of cash inside
Eat & Drink
Former Amore coffee shop to reopen as a holistic space
The owner plans a new name and a broader focus on community, healing, and events.
Profiles
From loss to legacy, Hazel Bumby’s breast cancer mission
After losing her mum at 15, Westhoughton's Hazel Bumby turned her grief into a lifelong mission to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
Life & Community
A6 rerouting nearly complete as Wingates development gathers pace
New site at Wingates is set to bring 6,000 jobs though not everyone is happy about the loss of green fields