Discussion over whether Bolton should remain part of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) or become part of a reorganised Lancashire has gathered momentum following Labour’s sharp criticism of Reform UK’s plans.

Trevor Jones, chair of Reform UK in Bolton, has defended the proposal, while the town’s Labour leadership has strongly opposed it.

Labour has warned that the move would “rip Bolton out of the successful Greater Manchester partnership and force the town into a county facing major structural upheaval and uncertainty”.

The party also claims Reform UK “has failed to be honest with residents about the consequences of this move”.

According to Labour, proposed changes to local governance in Lancashire, including the creation of large unitary authorities, could see Bolton incorporated into a broader “South Lancashire” area, alongside towns such as Burnley, Pendle and Blackburn.

Nick Peel, leader of Bolton Council’s Labour group, said the proposal would have far-reaching implications for local decision-making and public services.

“Reform UK’s plan would drag Bolton backwards,” said Cllr Peel, who also leads Bolton Council.

“Leaving Greater Manchester means losing investment, losing transport benefits, and losing our seat at the table in one of the most successful devolved regions in the country.

“At the same time, Reform-led Lancashire is planning to scrap its councils entirely and replace them with distant mega-authorities.

“That means Bolton being lumped into a sprawling ‘South Lancashire’ structure with little connection to our town.

“This is not about local pride, it’s about political posturing at the expense of Bolton residents.

“People here deserve better than to be used as part of an experiment that risks jobs, investment, and essential services.”

Labour pointed to potential impacts on transport arrangements linked to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, including the Bee Network, capped bus fares, and concessionary travel.

Concerns were also raised over investment secured through devolved funding, such as support for the new medical school in Farnworth, adding that “there is no guarantee that such investment would have been secured under a Lancashire system”.

Bolton’s Reform UK branch, however, says the issue should ultimately be decided by residents if the party gains control.

Trevor Jones, the branch’s chairperson and a candidate in Tonge with The Haulgh in May’s local elections, said he has been suggesting the idea for years.

“They laughed at me and said, ‘pie in the sky, it’ll never happen’,” said Mr Jones.

“The last thing they thought was that four years down the line we’d be running Lancashire County Council.”

Mr Jones said if Reform UK were to lead Bolton Council, residents would be given a vote on the issue.

“We would ask on a voting slip, would you like to stay as part of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, or would you like to return to Lancashire as a Unitary Authority.

“It’s called democracy.”

Mr Jones has been campaigning with leaflets under the slogan “Lancs not Mancs”, setting out Reform UK’s wider priorities on local government, housing and council spending.

In the leaflet, he argues for a referendum on Bolton’s governance, alongside proposals for a full audit of council finances, measures to improve street cleanliness, stronger action on fly-tipping, and a focus on prioritising housing for residents.

It also raises concerns about the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough.

The leaflet says: “We will seek a referendum on leaving the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and returning fully to the county of Lancashire as a Unitary Authority with the help of the Reform UK run Lancashire County Council.

“This will save Bolton millions each year to invest locally and put an end to Andy Burnham’s 19.4 per cent yearly Mayoral increases.”

The 2026 Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council election will take place on May 7, alongside other local elections in the UK.

One third of the 60 members of Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council in Greater Manchester will be elected.

You can find a list of all candidates standing in the Bolton Council elections on the Bolton News website.

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There were a number of nasty falls an injuries at the 2026 Grand National, with concerns over Top Of The Bill and Quai de Bourbon

Aintree officials have issued an update on two horses who were hurt during falls in the Grand National. A number of horses fell during the race, with particular concern among viewers for Top of The Bill and Quai de Bourbon.

Top of The Bill who was being ridden by legendary trainer Ginger McCain’s grandson Toby McCain-Mitchell was initially being assessed on the course, with a later update confirming he was up and had walked off the course.

There were also concerns about Quai de Bourbon, who fell early and looked unwell before he was taken to a horse ambulance to be assessed back at the stables.

Jockey Robert Dunne, who was riding Stellar Story, has been taken to hospital for assessment. He was said to be conscious and talking as he was taken away in an ambulance.

The race was won by favourite I Am Maximus

More to follow

But the former two-time world heavyweight champion cannot afford to overlook Makhmudov, the aggressive and hard-hitting Russian contender who last fought as recently as October, when he defeated David Allen in Sheffield. Before that we will see Conor Benn, who fights under the Zuffa Boxing banner having split from Matchroom and Eddie Hearn as he meets Regis Prograis in a catchweight bout in his first outing since that rematch win over arch-rival Chris Eubank Jr.

Kurt Pearn appeared at a Durham Crown Court on Wednesday (April 8), via video link from Holme House Prison, in Stockton accused stabbing the man on Oak Terrace in Consett, on Saturday March 7.

His barrister Chris Baker asked that the charge was not put to Pearn, saying: “The defence would like a psychiatric report in this case.

“We need to be sure he is fit to plead and to stand trial.”

Judge Richard Bennett agreed and adjourned the hearing until May 26, when he said the defendant could again appear via the prison to court video link.

Pearn, 35 today, of Weaver’s Croft, Crook, remains remanded in custody.

Martin Keown criticised Arsenal players for not passing the ball to Max Dowman enough as they fell to a devastating defeat at home to Bournemouth.

The Gunners had the chance to move 12 points clear of the summit of the Premier League and tighten their grip on the title in front of their own fans on Saturday afternoon.

But an insipid display led to their third defeat in their last four matches with Bournemouth sealing a 2-1 victory.

Viktor Gyokeres drew his side level after 35 minutes following Junior Kroupi’s early strike but it failed to spark the hosts into life.

Seeing no improvement from his side in the opening nine minutes of the second-half, Arteta decided enough was enough and made three changes with Eberechi Eze, Leandro Trossard and Dowman replacing Gabriel Martintelli, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke.

The changes had little effect on the game with Arsenal still labouring. Arteta’s side were punished again after 74 minutes; coming up short in three second-ball situations before Alex Scott produced a fine finish to beat David Raya.

Despite only turning 16 in December, Dowman has looked at home in the first-team squad and was instrumental off the bench in Arsenal’s previous Premier League game, helping set up one and scored the other in dramatic 2-0 win over Everton.

He could not replicate that impact on Saturday with Keown frustrated Arsenal did not look for their young teammate more often.

‘Arsenal fixed the play and the picture never changed,’ Keown told TNT Sports. ‘Arsenal then couldn’t develop the play into their midfield players.

‘Even when Dowman came on, we were all screaming give him the ball, but they didn’t have enough good control of the ball in the midfield and that is all down to Bournemouth and Arsenal not mixing up their game enough.’

Manchester City face a tough test away to Chelsea on Sunday but if they come through that, they can reduce the gap at the top to just three points when they play Arsenal at the Emirates next weekend.

City will then have a game in hand on their rivals.

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy planned to keep his mind off golf as much as possible while awaiting the third round of the Masters.

“There’s actually two really good semifinals at Monte Carlo in the tennis. So I’ll watch that,” he said. “We’ve been watching the tennis early in the mornings.”

The tennis matches might be more competitive than what’s taken place so far at Augusta National, where McIlroy led by a record six strokes after 36 holes. He birdied six of the last seven in a second-round 65 on Friday that left him at 12 under par for the tournament.

Now this could go a few different ways. McIlroy could cruise to victory and become the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters. He could maintain this level of domination and challenge Tiger Woods’ record for margin of victory (12) or Dustin Johnson’s for lowest score (20 under).

Or he could blow the lead and make history that way — 36 holes is a lot of golf still to play.

“Look, I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point,” McIlroy said. “I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.”

McIlroy nearly was paired in Saturday’s final group with Patrick Reed, his foil during a memorable Ryder Cup match in 2016 and in the final group of the 2018 Masters, won by Reed. But a bogey on the 18th hole Friday left Reed tied for second with Sam Burns, who will play with McIlroy on Saturday.

“Just have to wait and see what the weekend entails,” Reed said. “Hopefully I can go out and have a good day tomorrow and have a good shot going into Sunday.”

Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood were another stroke back at 5 under.

Bryson DeChambeau won’t be playing this weekend after finishing at 6 over and missing the cut. He owed his exit to a pair of triple bogeys in which he needed multiple shots to get out of bunkers. The first was on No. 11 on Thursday. The second was on the 18th hole Friday, when he only needed a bogey to play on.

Before McIlroy finished his run of six birdies in the last seven holes Friday, the best round of the tournament was Tyrrell Hatton’s second-round 66. He was at 4 under along with Wyndham Clark, Haotong Li, Jason Day, Cameron Young and unheralded Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan.

The rest of the field shouldn’t give up. McIlroy, after all, shot 80 in the final round in 2011 after leading the Masters following the first three rounds.

He’s a different player now, though.

“Becoming a wily old veteran,” McIlroy said. “Even go back to the final round in 2011, hitting it in that bunker off the tee at the second hole and, like, not panicking, but thinking, ‘oh, this isn’t good.’ I can’t go for this in two. How am I — and I walk up there today, and it’s like, no, I lay it up to a good number, and I’ll have a good chance to make a birdie.”

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The Grand National took place at Aintree at 4pm on Saturday, April 11 – with Paul Townend riding I Am Maximus to a second title at the biggest horse racing event of the seasonal calendar

I Am Maximus has won the 2026 Grand National. It marks the second title that the JP McManus-owned horse has won, joining Tiger Roll in becoming a two-time champion at one of racing’s most prestigious events.

It also sees McManus become the most highly-decorated owner in the event’s history, with four wins at the National.

Here are how the other horses placed at the Grand National…

1st 1 I Am Maximus

2nd 13 Iroko

3rd 28 Jordans

4th 33 Jonnywho

5th 18 High Class Hero

6th 14 Favori De Champdou

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