According to police, several dogs are loose, which “appear to be acting as a pack”. There are reported to be a few different breeds, possibly Daschund, Terrier, Spaniel, and Alsation.

Police are also trying to locate the owners and are keen to seize the dogs. Anyone with information has been asked to get in touch.

A police spokesperson said: “Many of you will be aware that there have been a high number of livestock worrying offences around Darwen and Edgworth.

“There are several dogs loose that appear to be acting as a pack. There are reported to be a few different breeds – possibly Daschund, Terrier, Spaniel and Alsation.

“We are currently out looking for the dogs with local farmers and are asking for members of the public to let us know if they see any loose dogs around the rural areas.

“You can update us on here until around 7pm today (February 21). After that, please call 101.

“We are extremely keen to seize these dogs and locate the owners.”

However, it wrote: “As an experienced BTP police officer used to dealing with a whole range of people, the panel found that, on the balance of probabilities, he probably would have known that this was an especially offensive use of language directed towards members of a minority community.”

In the third instalment of the cashless Belfast series, a spokesman from Campaign for Cash has spoken out about the “spreading disease” of cashless payments

A pro-cash campaigner has spoken to Belfast Live about his experiences — as well as his expectations — of a society moving towards a cashless future.

He warns Belfast residents to look towards other parts of the country that are a lot further along the digital path than Northern Ireland to see what is happening there. And he stresses the importance of holding onto cash as a viable payment option.

Martin Quinn, 52, from Sutton in South London is involved with the Campaign for Cash. The organisation is a grassroots group who campaigns for continued and expanded cash across the country.

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He spoke to us highlighting the current landscape in the capital when it comes to cash, and said he wants physical money to remain a part of our spending habits.

Campaign for Cash spokesman Martin said: “It is almost impossible to spend your cash in some parts of the capital.

“In London, many of the chains are card only and people need to speak up or they will not have the option to spend their cash. It is like a disease, cashless payments are spreading.

“My long term worry is that any particular high street in the country, you won’t be able to spend your cash. We’ve lost thousands of bank branches in the last decade so I can see why businesses are going card only but this is detrimental in so many ways, it hits everybody else. A wide array of society want to use cash and it should not be taken off the table.”

Martin said the Campaign for Cash wanted people to be proud of the cash in their pocket and to be able to use it freely. The organisation has been around for several years now and arose in response to the rapid decline in cash usage accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing number of businesses going cashless.

He continued: “If there is a power outage or systems go down, and we don’t have the ability to spend cash, we’ll be walking around like zombies. People need to realise that they have a right to cash and they need to demand to have the ability to be able to spend it.

“Cash is especially popular in working class areas and with self service checkouts taking over in supermarkets, it is rare that cash is accepted at terminals. People don’t just want to spend cash, they need to be able to spend cash.

“We are sleep walking into a cashless society and people need to understand the implications of not having cash. There are concerns around privacy and not having the freedom of making a decision on the way you want to spend your money is not beneficial.”

Throughout the cashless Belfast series run by Belfast Live, many readers have expressed their concerns about the practice of denying cash on our comment sections. Quite a few have publicly stated that they will avoid businesses that don’t accept notes or coins, and Martin encourages this practice.

“If you want to spend your cash, I’d advise boycotting businesses that refuse cash and vote with your feet. If enough people deny businesses access to their wallets then decisions will be changed,” he said.

“Cash needs to be on a level playing field with card payments, it shouldn’t be either, or, we need to have both across the board. Why should a cash user be discriminated against? Both of these payments need to be accepted for resilience. Cash needs to be there as a continuous fail safe, it is part of the eco-system.

“Why is it only in emergency situations that these businesses who have gone cashless want cash? They seem to be happy to take it when this happens.”

While cash use has declined significantly in certain parts of the country, Northern Ireland remains more cash‑reliant than many other regions.

According to Link, Northern Ireland was the most cash heavy part of the UK in 2024. During that year, banking customers in Northern Ireland withdrew an average of £2,274. The second and third cash heaviest regions in the same period were Yorkshire and the Humber (£1,696) and the North-East (£1,682).

A significant portion of UK adults now live largely cashless lives, relying on contactless cards and mobile payments for everyday purchases. But as digital payments become the default for many, questions are being raised about accessibility, consumer choice and whether some people risk being left behind as cash continues to disappear from the high street.

The ongoing closure of bank branches on high streets is also playing a role in a move away from cash. With fewer physical banks available, both customers and businesses are increasingly reliant on digital payment systems. For some businesses, security concerns are another factor, as holding large amounts of cash on-site can pose risks — something contactless payments help to reduce.

Belfast Live will continue exploring this issue in more detail as we seek answers from businesses, campaigners and others to determine whether the move towards cashless payments across the board is inevitable.

What do you think about the decline of cash in Belfast? Are you a business or a consumer that wants to add to the series? Email Rob.Currell@reachplc.com

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Today, Laura and Paddy are joined by Gary O’Donoghue, Chief North America correspondent to discuss the US Supreme Court’s ruling to block President Donald Trump’s global tariffs.

Is this the beginning of the end of his tariffs, what’s Trump doing now, and what does it mean for where power lies in the US?

Laura has interviewed former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Tony Radakin ahead of the four-year anniversary of the beginning of the full scale invasion of Ukraine. Boris Johnson said the UK and its allies “did not take strong enough action,” and the UK and its allies should deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine right now.

Laura and Paddy dicuss Boris Johnson and Tony Radakin’s comments.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord
Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC.

The presenters were Laura Kuenssberg and Paddy O’Connell. It was made by Chris Flynn with Kris Jalowiecki. The social producer was Grace Braddock. The technical producer was Dafydd Evans. The weekend series producer is Chris Flynn. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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Sources say consultation will begin on removing Andrew from line of succession

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The shock arrest of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on his 66th birthday this week has been compounded by more setbacks for the disgraced former prince.

Government insiders suggest that following the conclusion of any police inquiry into the King’s brother, discussions will begin regarding his removal from the line of succession. For several months, Andrew’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been scrutinised, with the recent release of three million documents by the US Department of Justice casting fresh light on their association, reports the Mirror.

Certain emails exchanged from an account apparently belonging to Andrew with the paedophile financier suggested he may have disclosed confidential information from his time as UK Trade Envoy to Epstein. One particular email was sent on Christmas Eve 2010, with the account forwarding Epstein material concerning confidential investment prospects related to the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Andrew was detained on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, with searches conducted at a Norfolk property and his previous residence in Berkshire, Royal Lodge.

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He has been released pending further investigation, and once this is completed, the Government will begin proceedings to formally remove him from the line of succession. This will necessitate an act of Parliament, alongside agreement from all 14 realms where King Charles serves as head of state.

The Times has published a detailed examination of Andrew’s “very long fall from grace” which the public has witnessed intensify in recent months, culminating in the monarch’s decision to strip his younger brother of royal titles and styles. The piece offers fresh revelations about the King’s brother during his younger years, as well as his dynamic with the late Queen.

Often labelled the late Queen’s “favourite son”, one striking claim in the report concerns a remarkable response from the former monarch. The publication alleges that “as a young man his behaviour was so atrocious that a footman punched him in the face.”

Despite her widely documented affection for Andrew, “Queen Elizabeth refused his subsequent offer to resign on the grounds that her son had obviously deserved it.”

The report goes on to suggest that Andrew managed to test his mother’s patience, despite the fact she “indulged” him. “He spent his childhood annoying almost everyone. Even she was irritated by his habit of climbing onto the roof of Buckingham Palace to tinker with the TV aerial so she couldn’t watch the racing,” the publication alleges.

The allegation that a footman once gave Andrew a black eye was originally made by royal expert Ingrid Seward in her book ‘My Husband and I’. Seward wrote that on one “occasion when [Andrew’s] taunting so annoyed a young footman that he took a swipe at Andrew that deposited him on the floor and left him with a black eye,” the member of royal staff was left “fearing for his job.”

The footman approached the Queen directly, according to Seward, and offered his resignation, but she reportedly responded that “her son had obviously deserved it and the footman was on no account to be punished for Andrew’s bad behaviour”.

Yet one insider has cast doubt on whether Andrew truly was the late Queen’s “favourite”. Ailsa Anderson, who served as the late Queen’s Press Secretary from 2001 to 2013, told the BBC: “The media do say that he was the favourite son, but in my 12 years working for the late Queen I never saw her display any favouritism amongst any of her children, so I can’t really say that’s true.”

Following Andrew’s arrest early on Thursday from his temporary residence at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate, he was transported to Aylsham police station. A newly published report has disclosed that the majority of staff at Aylsham Police Investigation Centre were instructed to stay away that morning, whilst officers dealt exclusively with processing the former duke.

Reports suggest that staff were informed a “notable person” would be arriving just days before his arrest. Allegations have also emerged that an IT shutdown was implemented as part of the police operation, aimed at preventing news of the arrest from leaking out in advance.

The medal belonged to Second Lieutenant Donald Simpson Bell and is on display at The Green Howards Museum in Richmond as part of the exhibition Battle Bowlers & Football Boots.

Born in Harrogate on December 3, 1890, Donald played as an amateur for Crystal Palace and Newcastle United before signing professionally for Bradford Park Avenue.

He was the first professional footballer to enlist in the British Army during the First World War, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Donald Simpson Bell, the only professional footballer to be awarded the VC. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Alison Booth, his great-niece, said: “I often think that Uncle Don would be amazed to think his story and zest for life was still being displayed and documented 110 years later.”

His family were given special permission by the National Football Museum to hold his Victoria Cross during the visit.

He is the only professional footballer to be awarded the Victoria Cross. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Zoe Utley, head of collections at The Green Howards Museum, said: “It is always very special to hear from family members of Green Howards and introduce the next generations to family members they have never met.

“Objects have an incredible power to connect people with their ancestors and it is a pleasure to introduce Donald’s family to his story.”

After enlisting in 1915, Mr Bell served with the 9th Battalion, Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’ Own Yorkshire Regiment) and was sent to France in November 1915.

He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on July 5, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, for single-handedly attacking and destroying a German machine gun post under heavy fire, saving many lives.

He died five days later performing a similar act of bravery.

He died running bravely into gunfire. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The Green Howards Museum has loaned the medal from the National Football Museum. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The exhibition explores the close relationship between football and military life within the Green Howards regiment.

It also highlights the contributions of women in football, the role of the sport in prisoner of war camps, and the achievements of Middlesbrough’s Wilf Mannion.

Objects on display have been loaned by the National Football Museum and The Players’ Foundations.

Vikings, Saxons, herbalists and others from the Viking era in England gathered in Deans Park next to York Minster.

They chanted Viking battle cries and shouted about Ragnorak and other Nordic God myths as they marched past the cathedral and past the Festival encampment to Coppergate and the Eye of York by Cliffords Tower.

Among the reenactors was one representing St Olaf of Norway with his Christian escort and cross bearer.

“St Olaf” (centre) with his cross-bearer and escort at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

At the end of the march the march split into two sides to fight the Battle of York on the Eye of York in the big set piece climax of the 2026 festival.

Tickets for all the main events of the weeklong festival were sold out weeks in advance.

From late morning onwards the streets of York were full of companies of warriors going to the gathering place behind York Minster.

They had come from all over England, with some travelling from Somerset and Blackpool to take part in what is believed to be the biggest Viking festival in Europe.

As they mustered, the musicians who were to lead the march entertained crowds in Parliament Street.

Musicians entertain the crown before the March to Coppergate at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

Watching the warrior horde assemble were Christine and Michael Platts of Wakefield, who had come to York to visit the Minster, noticed the Vikings and stopped to watch.

“It’s amazing,” said retired teacher Christine. “To see history come alive like this is what we need. It makes history more real.”

They are now planning to return next year specifically to see the 2027 festival.

Her teenage granddaughter Priya was so impressed by the standard of the costumes and what the re-enactors who formed the march were doing that she wanted to know how she could join in.

Viking and Saxon reenactors at the Jorvik Viking Festival (Image: Newsquest)

Among the reenactors were some dressed in Saxon costumes.

“At the end of it there is going to be a big fight. There needs to be two sides,” explained Saxon “Oswic” and “AEsc” who were in company with Viking “Gunnar Sigurdson”.

They were part of a Northumberland re-enactment group that draws its members from a wide area of Yorkshire and the North-east.

They included a group of three women specialising in Saxon and Viking herbs. Susan Davison, Kirstin Mclauchlin and Verity were there to help the wounded and injured following the battle and had a bit of spinning to do while the men fought.

Viking ladies ready to provide herbal first aid to the wounded and injured after the battle (Image: Newsquest)

Reenactors represented anyone from the Viking Era in England, roughly 793 to 1066, were among the marchers.

One young man arrived dressed as St Olaf (King of Norway 1015 to 1028) who died aged 35.

Shortly after 2.15pm, the hundreds in Viking and Saxon fighting gear left the park to the sound of horns and drums, marched through Minster Yard, round the Minster to Stonegate and passed the Viking encampment which has been in place all week.

Their route was lined with tourists, local people and visitors to the festival to see the spectacle.

From Parliament Street they marched past Jorvik Viking Centre, through Coppergate and past Clifford’s Tower to the Eye of York.

Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday night – but without former Strictly star Bruno Tonioli as he quit the show in 2025 after just two years of service

Britain’s Got Talent fans will notice Bruno Tonioli is missing from the line-up when the show returns to ITV on Saturday night. The former Strictly Come Dancing judge exited the series after just two years.

Head judge Simon Cowell will be joined as usual by presenter Amanda Holden and singer Alesha Dixon as the long-running series returns for a 19th season. And the Bruno-shaped hole has been seamlessly filled by YouTube sensation KSI, who BGT fans will recall appeared on the 2025 season as a guest judge.

Fans of the ITV talent show were surprised when Bruno ditched rival BBC show Strictly to join the panel in 2023, replacing controversial judge David Walliams, who appeared on the panel from 2012 until 2022. After just two years and three seasons of red and golden buzzer bashing, Bruno decided it was time to vacate his Got Talent chair – but reportedly left the show on good terms. Here is a look back at the reason Bruno quit Britain’s Got Talent.

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Why did Bruno Tonioli quit Britain’s Got Talent in 2025?

Despite appearing on BGT for three seasons, Bruno Tonioli is arguably still best known for being a judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing from 2004 until 2019. The Italian TV star is also a judge on the American version of Strictly – Dancing With The Stars – and has appeared on the panel across the Atlantic since 2005.

While Bruno had been able to balance judging both Strictly and DWTS, the filming schedule for Britain’s Got Talent proved to be too challenging – with clashes ultimately forcing Bruno to walk away. In a statement released last year, Bruno explained why he was leaving the ITV show – and threw his support behind his replacement.

The 70-year-old star said: “After three incredible series, I’ve sadly had to walk away from a job which has opened my eyes to so much incredible talent and step down as a judge on BGT.

“And whilst I look forward to filming a new series of Dancing with the Stars in the US, I will miss the chaos and joy that BGT brings, as well as all the wonderful people I’ve had the privilege of working with. They truly are a brilliant team who make brilliant television, and I know KSI will be a fantastic judge too, as he’s already proven this year.”

Bruno previously opened up to the Daily Mail about the strain the constant travel between the UK and the USA was having on him. He revealed: “There is no animosity, it was a mutual decision with both of us saying, ‘Listen, this is not going to work like it used to.’ I just couldn’t do the flying anymore. I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”

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What has KSI said of replacing Bruno as a BGT judge?

Britain’s Got Talent fans will recall seeing YouTube star and rapper KSI – real name Olajide Olatunji, 32 – filling in for Bruno at certain points during the 2025 season as his busy schedule kept him away from the UK. After wowing audiences as well as the fellow judges, KSI seemed like an obvious choice to take over from Bruno full-time.

The rap star has been enthusiastic about his promotion as a full-time judge – and vowed to help the panel uncover more undisputable talent via the ITV show. He said in a past statement: “I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of Britain’s Got Talent team for another season.”

He added: “I had such a good time last year, and I can’t wait to see some more top talent. I’m full of energy, ready to go, and can’t wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever. Let’s do this.”

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What has Simon Cowell said about losing Bruno as a judge?

While head judge Simon Cowell, 66, has not explicitly commented on Bruno’s BGT exit, it has been reported that he supported the dance expert’s decision to leave – and consulted his young son Eric, 12, before announcing KSI as a replacement. A source told The Sun last year: “Simon’s been friends with Bruno for over 35 years and loved working with him on BGT.

“It was really tough knowing he had to let Bruno go because they couldn’t get the filming dates to work out with his commitments on Dancing with the Stars. Simon is always looking for new ways to keep the show evolving and loves to get the opinion of his young son. Eric was a big influence for Simon in choosing Bruno’s replacement. He’s obsessed with him and adores him. KSI is Eric’s favourite influencer. Plus, he’s been such a hit as a guest judge, and Simon recognises they need to keep the show different by moving forward to keep attracting the younger audience.”

The source added: “Bruno was popular with the grannies, but KSI is for the youngsters. KSI has a huge social media presence and Simon knows how important it is to keep the show more modern.”

Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV and ITVX on Saturday night at 7pm.

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There have been shenanigans, s***stirring and enough hot air to create a new microclimate.

But there have also been complaints to the police, security details and an effigy placed outside a primary school.

With a week to go before voters head to the polls in Gorton and Denton there is no sign of the temperature dropping. From the kick-off this has been a nasty campaign.

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The backbiting and fighting among the three frontrunners – standing for Labour, the Green Party and Reform UK – has been, at times, brutal.

Pushing for change in an area held by Labour for decades are the Green Party’s Hannah Spencer and Reform UK’s Matt Goodwin – two bullish candidates diametrically opposed in their politics. Both mobilised quickly, pounding the pavements, leafleting like mad and being bombastically on brand during well-attended rallies.

Slower out of the blocks thanks to Labour’s headline-grabbing blocking of Andy Burnham and a long-winded selection process, was Angeliki Stogia. But even before Labour had picked a candidate, the party had seized on their rivals.

When Reform’s chief whip Lee Anderson appeared to start a campaign trail in the wrong constituency, Angela Rayner couldn’t resist poking fun at the party’s map reading skills.

The Greens were also mocked for a series of leafleting typos in which they misspelt Gorton as ‘Gorten’.

So far, so fair. Then things ramped up.

Reform announced they had reported Labour to Greater Manchester Police over an allegedly ‘misleading’ video attacking Mr Goodwin.

A few days later, Labour Party chair Anna Turley wrote to Mr Goodwin urging him to make clear whether he would welcome the support of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, who had appeared to endorse the Reform candidate on X.

Reform said they had been “consistently clear” that Robinson “isn’t welcome in the party”.

And when residents raised concerns about an endorsement letter for Reform that didn’t have a required marker confirming it had been produced for the party – they blamed the printers, who apologised.

Professor of political science Robert Ford was surprised to find himself featuring on two of the Greens’ leaflets and “taken out of context” – something the party apologised for.

Meanwhile, a Conservative party canvasser was caught on a doorbell camera taking a Reform leaflet out of a resident’s letter box in Denton and putting it in the bin.

And in the latest twist in the saga, police are investigating a complaint of ‘treating’ after a Labour event in Levenshulme during which it appears attendees were asked to hold up Labour flyers “ if you want to get fed”.

If you were under any illusion as to the savage nature of this campaign, you need only look at the leaflets that have dropped through the door.

Reform UK’s leafleting claims the Greens want to “open borders” and will “make Keir Starmer’s mess worse”.

Green leaflets say Reform “divides communities”, describes Mr Goodwin as an “out-of-town Reform candidate in it for himself” and claim Labour is “in chaos”.

Labour leaflets say “Reform’s racist candidate thinks non-white people can’t be British and has been backed by far-right convicted criminal Tommy Robinson” and claim the Greens are “misleading voters”.

On the ground, the anger generated by this by-election has trickled down to some strange tactics – some more disturbing than others.

On the one hand, you’ve got Labour sticking a massive poster right next to the Green Party headquarters – only for the Greens to respond in kind.

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On the other, you’ve got someone leaving an effigy with a note saying “dead lefty f*** Greens” outside a primary school in Levenshulme. If that doesn’t shock you, I’m afraid you’ve lost all sense of perspective.

The truth is, nobody campaigning in Gorton and Denton has had an easy time over the last month.

Ms Stogia has the unenviable task of attempting to cling onto a seat for a party deeply wounded by scandal. As if the drama surrounding retiring Labour MP Andrew Gwynne wasn’t bad enough, her campaign started in earnest just as the full extent of Peter Mandelson’s alleged involvement with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein became clear.

It can’t have been an easy task campaigning under the Labour banner during what some have described as the worst scandal since the Profumo Affair.

Meanwhile, Ms Spencer has repeatedly had to contend with scrutiny over her personal life. She responded in a good natured way to claims she was married to a millionaire and owns a huge gated property in Hale with a weird chimney.

But she has put the scrutiny down to a vein of misogyny running through media coverage of the campaign.

As for Mr Goodwin, he was picked up by Ms Stogia during the Manchester Evening News hustings for using private security while he has ‘pedalled rhetoric’ she claimed has made others feel unsafe. But the Reform man said his security detail was necessary “because I have very real threats in an area where people assure me everything is fine”.

Reform UK and the Green Party both claimed in their literature that the contest is a “two-horse race”, with Labour battling for third – a suggestion they vehemently deny.

But it’s testament to the desperation of Labour to cling onto this formerly safe seat that they have brought out the big dogs. Sadiq Khan, Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and of course ‘King of the North’ Andy Burnham have all shown up to offer their support for Ms Stogia.

For Labour, there is much at stake. A loss in Gorton and Denton could spell disaster for Keir Starmer whose opponents claim the by-election is a referendum on his government.

Ms Stogia has repeatedly accused her opponents of “shouting for the sidelines”, claiming that their untested policies would fall flat if they took over the reins of power. But there is much at stake for the Greens and Reform too.

A loss in an area where both claim to have easily hoovered up voters would sting. But Nigel Farage and Zack Polanski will be able to make hay with any outcome.

Both have no doubt gained voters during this by-election, even if their candidates lose. And both have proved that polarising politics has a place in the UK.

Throughout the campaign, the candidates have accused each other of spreading misinformation. So I’d urge anyone able to vote in the Gorton and Denton by-election next Thursday to research them all thoroughly – even The Official Monster Raving Loony Party’s Sir Oink-a-lot, who is promising to bring home the bacon.

There are eleven candidates hoping to take control of Gorton and Denton – and a basic annual salary of £93,904.