News for Cheshire

Parents Given Measles Outbreak Warning

Parents are being urged to protect their children with the MMR vaccine.

It comes after an outbreak of measles in Wilmslow and surrounding areas of East Cheshire.

Children ranging in age from 10 months to fifteen years old have contracted it, with two admitted to hospital but both have since made a full recovery.

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Man Dies in Motorbike Collision

A man has died after a collision between a motorbike and a lorry in Winsford.

The 53-year-old suffered serious injuries and later died in hospital.

The collision happened on Swanlow Road just after 5 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon.

Nobody else was injured and surrounding roads were closed for three hours while police investigated the scene.

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Drivers Issued with Parking Warning

Motorists parking in loading bays in Winsford Town Centre are being warned they face a fine.

Police say they will take action if they continue to flout the no parking rules.

Drivers ignoring the double yellow lines are blocking shop delivery entrances, while lorries and trucks are damaging cars as they try to get past.

News for Cheshire

Excessive Drinking on the Increase

Irresponsible boozing is on the up across our region.

According to a study by Liverpool John Moores University, we are among the worst areas for bad drinking habits.

The death toll in England now exceeds fifteen and a half thousand people a year.

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Stockport Council Launches Flood Appeal

A flood appeal to help victims in Pakistan is being launched by Stockport Council.

The authority is urging employees, residents and community groups to organise charity events to raise much needed funding for the UK Disaster Emergency Committee throughout September.

Millions of people have been killed or made homeless as a result of the floods.

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Market Towns Website a Hit with the Public

A website acting as a showcase for market towns in Cheshire is becoming a hit with users.

Created in an effort to boost visitor numbers, they are aiming to promote the best of what is on offer across the county.

The number of people logging on is increasing on a weekly basis.

News for Cheshire

Scam Warning Issued

Residents are being advised to look out for  a scam involving alarm systems.

It follows a number of reports alarm companies using dubious selling techniques are in operation.

People have been persuaded to sign up for an alarm system by businesses claiming that it had been endorsed by the police, fire service or the home office.

Residents have been misled into thinking that the system was going to be free or provided at a heavily discounted cost, but have subsequently been faced with a large bill.

Trading Standards are urging a

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Appeal as Dog Adoption Month Comes to Macclesfield

It is almost National Dog adoption month and Macclesfield’s RSPCA are appealing for supporters.

They are hoping to raise awareness as hundreds of dogs are left abandonded or are mistreated.

The RSPCA are also hoping to convince the public to consider adopting a dog as a first option, rather than second choice.

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Macclesfield Earn first Point of the Season

Macclesfield Town have earned their first home point of the new season after drawing one all with Chesterfield.

Craig Davies put the visitors ahead but Emile Sinclair levelled the score 15 minutes from time.

News for Cheshire

Obesity Costs NHS Billions

Obesity is weighing heavily on the NHS.

There has been a 785 percent rise in the number of weight-loss operations in England over five years.

It’s costing the health service more than 4 billion pounds a year.

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Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Work with Local Schools

Almost three thousand deliberate fires are started in our area every year – and according to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, most of them by children and teenagers.

They are now working with local schools on a special competition to raise awareness.

It focuses on teaching children the dangers of matches and lighters.

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Underage Drinking Campaign Continues

A campaign against underage drinking is continuing in Cheshire.

Retailers are being subjected to trials to see if they sell alcohol to underage volunteers.

Officers are targeting youngsters in the evenings and at weekends

News for Cheshire

Workers Announce Series of Strikes

Workers at a Macclesfield firm have announced they will be walking out next month.

It is in a row over pensions.

The GMB says staff at pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca will stage a series of strikes in September.

It follows a vote in which 70% of union members voted in favour of a walkout.

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Nature reserve to get Lotto Cash

Stockport council have secured a ten thousand pound grant to enhance Abney Hall Park.

The grant, which was awarded by the Big Lottery Fund Awards for All, will be used to provide safe habitats for wildlife.

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Care Village Meeting Re-arranged after Big  Turn out

A planning appeal hearing on a Council decision to refuse planning permission for a care village in Handforth Dean has been rearranged.

It comes after high levels of public interest meant a change of venue.

Greystone Limited want to build a 55 bed care home, along with 36 close care dwellings, 6 shared ownership affordable dwellings and a community centre to provide facilities for village residents.

Over 200 people attended the initial hearing at Wilmslow Leisure Centre on August 17th, to voice their opposition to the proposals.

But the 50-seat room was too small and many people had to be turned away.

It will now take place at 10am on September 22nd, at the Festival Hall in Alderley Edge.

News for Cheshire

The Results Are In…..

Thousands of students across Cheshire and North Wales are getting their A-level results.

The pass rate has risen for the 28th year in a row.

One in 12 exams scored the new top A-star grade and more than one in 4 entries gained an A grade.

But there are concerns thousands of students could miss out on a university place, as a result of cut backs and higher demand.

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Pool of Blood Found in Wilmslow

Sniffer dogs and helicopter searches are being carried out, after a pool of blood was found in Wilmslow.

It was discovered yesterday morning in Twinnies Bridge Car Park.

Detectives are trying to establish where the blood came from and further tests will now take place in an attempt to DNA profile the blood.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

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Regeneration Plans Continue

We are being asked to help decide the future development of Macclesfield.

Cheshire East Council is reminding residents to look at proposals to regenerate the town at a series of displays.

The proposals include attracting more businesses and investment  to the town centre.

News for Cheshire

Quarries Warning for Youngsters

As the school holidays continue, young people in Cheshire are being warned to stay away from quarries.

Every year a young person is killed or injured by swimming in them.

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Number Plate Thefts on Rise

Cheshire Police are urging the public to pick up security screws after a rise in number plate thefts.

Drivers are not able to use the cars if the plates have been stolen and they have to pay for replacements.

Security screws, ultra-violet pens and Smart water can be used to deter thieves.

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 Campaign Focus on Passive Smoking Threat

The Smoke free Campaign is coming to Cheshire.

It is encouraging parents to protect their children from second-hand smoke.

It can damage their hearing, bring on asthma attacks and even cause cot death.

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Macclesfield Town Suffer First Defeat of the Season

Macclesfield lost 1-nil to visitors Shrewsbury at the weekend.

Despite home advantage at the Moss Rose, the Silkmen were unable to recover and find a reply.

The defeat now leaves Macclesfield in 16th place in the table.

News for Cheshire

Underage Drinkers Targeted by Police

Shops, bars and clubs are being targeted by Cheshire Police in a crackdown on underage drinking.

It comes after a local retailer was caught selling booze to a child.

More trial runs are being planned to see if other shops are checking for ID before making sales.

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Smash and Grab Thief  Hunted

Thieves have carried out a smash and grab at a jewellers in Crewe.

A man used a hammer to break the window of Valemi Jewellery, to steal Rolex watches worth thousands of pounds.

It is thought he had an accomplice and both are now being hunted by police.

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New Sports Campaign Launched to Combat Drugs

A new campaign is underway in Cheshire to engage children with sport.

It comes after findings showed parents think playing at sports is the best way to combat the temptation of drugs.

Now a range of activities are being staged across the county to encourage youngsters to take part in games.

The initiative has the backing of leading sporting figures and celebrities.

News for Cheshire

Workers in Strike Ballot

Workers at a Macclesfield drugs company are being balloted on strike action.

It’s because employees at Astrazeneca are unhappy about proposed changes to their pension scheme.

Over six hundred GMB members are now balloting in the hope the firm will rethink the proposals.

Voting will finish on August 16th.

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Heavy Traffic Targeted by New Scheme

Heavy traffic in Poynton is set to be halved by new plans.

At a cost of £3.5 million pounds, the Village Improvement Scheme aims to revitalise Park Lane and Fountain Place.

As part of that,  there will be a remodelling of the space used by drivers and pedestrians.

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Charity Challenge to Raise Cash for Hospice

Five local badminton players are raising money for charity by taking on The Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge.

The team known as the Peak Plodders are walking  twenty six miles in order to raise money for the East Cheshire Hospice.

The Hospice helps hundreds of patients and their families every year.

News for Cheshire

Witness Appeal After Attack

Cheshire Police have launched a witness appeal after a man was attacked in Nantwich.

The 23 year old was found with a head injury on Manor Road at tea time on July 23rd.

He was taken by ambulance to Leighton Hospital and then subsequently transferred to North Staffordshire Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition.

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Workers Begin Strike Ballot at Macclesfield Firm

Over 600 workers at a Macclesfield drugs company are to vote on whether to strike.

It’s because of changes  Astrazeneca want to make to existing pension schemes. 

GMB will ask its members to support a campaign of strikes.

The ballot ends on August 16th.

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Prank Calls Warning

Parents in Cheshire are being warned they could face prosecution if their children make fake 999 calls.

It’s as the summer school holidays get underway.

This time last year a Cheshire force received over 29,000 emergency calls.

Bogus calls can put lives at risk as resources are diverted to hoax emergencies.