http://www.metronews.co.uk Top stories for http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059155_mothers_appeal_over_shot_son THE heartbroken mum of a promising young footballer shot dead in a takeaway has made a direct appeal to the killer's mother to shop her son. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059155_mothers_appeal_over_shot_son Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059502_council_creates_facebook_page_to_woo_teens TOWN hall bosses are turning to social networking in a bid to get young people more involved in council matters. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059502_council_creates_facebook_page_to_woo_teens Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059504_friends_gardening_work_pays_off GARDENERS' green-fingered efforts have been rewarded with no fewer than six Green Flag awards for Trafford's parks and green spaces. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059504_friends_gardening_work_pays_off Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059500_kids_centres_hold_fun_days PLENTY of fun is in store for youngsters with the launch of two children's centres. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059500_kids_centres_hold_fun_days Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059311_dancing_to_a_brighter_beat EXPECT the kind of dazzling show that leaves the senses stunned and the memory full when Afrika! Afrika! comes to Manchester next week. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059311_dancing_to_a_brighter_beat Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059310_the_rhythm_of_the_streets THERE'LL be dancing in the streets this weekend as performance comes out of theatres and into the city. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059310_the_rhythm_of_the_streets Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059306_the_passion_of_football WHEN Gordon Taylor became chief executive of footballers’ union the Professional Footballers Association the organisation began to collect an array of art. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059306_the_passion_of_football Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059301_chance_to_see_battle_film THERE’S a rare chance to learn about the Battle of the Somme on Tuesday at Imperial War Museum North. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059301_chance_to_see_battle_film Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059300_festival_mega_mela_platt_fields_park_fallowfield_sat_26_and_sun_27_jul ALL the vibrant fun of South Asian culture is on offer for everyone at Platt Fields Park over the weekend with Manchester Mega Mela. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059300_festival_mega_mela_platt_fields_park_fallowfield_sat_26_and_sun_27_jul Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059299_music_billy_idol_apollo_wed_30_jul PUNK music may have started off as a serious matter – all righteous rebellion and kicking against the establishment – but by the time Billy Idol arrived on the scene, it was obvious that punk music had discovered its comic side. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059299_music_billy_idol_apollo_wed_30_jul Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059298_theatre_chinese_acrobatic_swan_lake_lowry_from_wed_30_jul SEE the world’s most famous classical ballet as never before when the UK premiere of Chinese Acrobatic Swan Lake comes to The Lowry. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059298_theatre_chinese_acrobatic_swan_lake_lowry_from_wed_30_jul Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059296_literature_jeffrey_deaver_whsmiths_arndale_centre_sat_26_jul FANS of crime writer Jeffrey Deaver get a rare chance to meet him at book signings in Manchester. http://www.metronews.co.uk/entertainment/magazine/s/1059296_literature_jeffrey_deaver_whsmiths_arndale_centre_sat_26_jul Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059231_reds_fans_riot_at_friendly A PITCH invasion forced the referee to call off a `friendly' match between Altrincham and Manchester United reserves. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1059231_reds_fans_riot_at_friendly Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058768_race_row_statue_changed A SCULPTURE designed as a powerful statement against slavery was due to be remodelled after it triggered a race row in Old Trafford. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058768_race_row_statue_changed Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058759_recycling_bin_bosses_answer_your_questions IN September Trafford Council will revolutionise the way householders get rid of rubbish and recycle their waste. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058759_recycling_bin_bosses_answer_your_questions Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058766_dont_park_here_please FED up with dangerous near-misses, a Stretford school has taken a rather unusual step to encourage parents to be more considerate when dropping their kids off at school. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058766_dont_park_here_please Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058764_garden_duo_are_all_smiles TWO Sale gardeners are getting anything but serious with their plan to bring plenty of cheer to one of Britain’s best-known flower shows. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058764_garden_duo_are_all_smiles Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058760_artwork_unveiled AN EXHIBITION featuring everything from wedding dresses to drawings proved a big hit when it was unveiled at the Avenue Methodist Church, Sale. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058760_artwork_unveiled Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058771_cautious_welcome_for_new_polyclinics TRAFFORD GPs say they will support the introduction of a ‘super clinic’ in the borough – but only if one is needed. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058771_cautious_welcome_for_new_polyclinics Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058773_pupils_learn_of_war_sacrifices ST Ambrose College staged its own Normandy invasion when a coachload of first-year boys made the trip to northern France http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058773_pupils_learn_of_war_sacrifices Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058616_post_office_battle_hots_up MORE than 1,000 people have joined the battle to save a busy Sale post office. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058616_post_office_battle_hots_up Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058620_primary_does_the_write_stuff WHEN it comes to the three Rs, pupils at Flixton Infant School are well above their peers, Ofsted inspectors say. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058620_primary_does_the_write_stuff Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058623_welfare_swoops_on_child_workers FIRMS that employ children over the summer break must ensure they don't fall foul of laws on hiring youngsters, the council warns. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058623_welfare_swoops_on_child_workers Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058624_champ_has_a_ball POOL users had the chance to 'walk on water' with a world-class swimmer. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058624_champ_has_a_ball Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058693_public_sector_staff_take_strike_action SCHOOL staff and social workers were among council staff who went on strike this week for two days of action over pay. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058693_public_sector_staff_take_strike_action Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058625_treat_in_store_for_food_fans FROM free-range beef to local cheeses, foodies will find plenty to buy at the Hale Local Produce Market. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058625_treat_in_store_for_food_fans Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058619_church_sales_unusual_items THE Avenue Methodist Church is to hold a coffee morning with a difference. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058619_church_sales_unusual_items Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058618_toy_shop_in_fire_drama FIREFIGHTERS were called to the Trafford Centre after a remote-controlled helicopter sparked a fire. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1058618_toy_shop_in_fire_drama Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057754_star_heads_to_help_struggling_schools_ Five Trafford headteachers are to play a key role in getting struggling schools back on track. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057754_star_heads_to_help_struggling_schools_ Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057759_a_toast_to_health FACES from the past and present enjoyed a get-together in Urmston as a hospital said happy birthday to the NHS. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057759_a_toast_to_health Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057760_paws_for_fun The furry friends at a nursery for pampered pooches might be feeling ruff on Tuesday morning – after celebrating its first anniversary. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057760_paws_for_fun Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057763_pool_users_cash_hope CALLS to bring back free swimming are increasing, with one MP calling on leisure centre bosses to take up government help that would enable it to happen. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057763_pool_users_cash_hope Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057767_say_bonjour_to_learning A SALE mum plans to bring a bit of joie de vivre to the borough. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057767_say_bonjour_to_learning Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057405_pioneering_liver_transplant_saves_mum A MUM who feared she would die before her daughter's third birthday has had a life-saving liver transplant - from her brother. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057405_pioneering_liver_transplant_saves_mum Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057402_grandads_lung_op A GRANDAD given just months to live has had a life-saving lung transplant. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057402_grandads_lung_op Tue, 08 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057682_bookies_hit_in_armed_raid BETTING shop workers were threatened with a gun during a raid in Urmston. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057682_bookies_hit_in_armed_raid Wed, 09 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057139_festival_shines_through_the_storms THUNDER and showers failed to halt happy carnival goers from making their way through Altrincham on Saturday. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057139_festival_shines_through_the_storms Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057316_diamond_celebrations_at_hospital FACES from the past and present enjoyed a get-together in Urmston as a hospital said  happy birthday to the NHS. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057316_diamond_celebrations_at_hospital Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000 http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057137_pupils_songs_make_a_connection MUSICAL youngsters are gearing up for a unique concert on Thursday, July 10. http://www.metronews.co.uk/news/s/1057137_pupils_songs_make_a_connection Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:00:00 -0000