Tom Besford: Last News

Tony Burrill has been a resident of Littleborough for 40 years. But now, he's made the decision to leave the place that's become home.

Some residents away from the area on election week may not have been able to cast their votes after delivery delays have hit Rochdale.

A new high school planned for Littleborough that was supposed to open last year is now estimated to open in 2027.

Labour councillors have been left ‘flabbergasted’ after a former colleague announced a surprise return to Rochdale’s political scene - as a Tory candidate. John Hartley wore the red rosette while representing Littleborough Lakeside for nine years - only standing down at last year’s local elections to take ‘a few years break’.But he has shocked - and angered - his one-time allies by declaring he will stand as a Conservative in the ward in May, after just one year away. Furious over the move, they have accused him of trading his Labour principles and opting for the Tories as ‘they wouldn’t expect him to work as hard’.

direct to your inboxCampaigners want to create a new forest to act as a giant 'sponge’ in flood-prone Littleborough.The Pennines town often suffers when the region is hit by heavy rainfall - something which has become increasingly common over recent years.Now residents and local councillors are calling for a massive tree planting scheme on land at the derelict Longley Hey Farm.The proposed site sits just below Higher Chelburn Reservoir and stretches from there to Halifax Road.The campaign got underway after two residents approached Littleborough Lakeside councillor Tom Besford with the idea - and has now gained significant local backing.Coun Besford says the former farmland - owned by United Utilities - is perfect for a new forest, unlike