Pharmacies inside supermarkets across the UK are to begin offering advice on potential cancer symptoms for free.
After some shocking new research has sadly revealed that by 2040, there will be more than half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK, Tesco and Cancer Research are now working together for the first time ever in a bid to prompt shoppers who may be experiencing some unusual symptoms, or who are just generally concerned about cancer, to get expert information and support while in store.
Anyone who spots something that doesn’t look or feel right to them, or something that isn’t going away, can now talk to one of the supermarket’s in-store pharmacists about what to do next.
With pharmacists set to play “an increasingly bigger role” in people’s access to healthcare, according to the supermarket, this new joint campaign not only aims to raise awareness of possible symptoms of cancer, but also break down any barriers that people may face when speaking to healthcare professionals.
Tesco in-store pharmacies are to begin offering free cancer symptom advice / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Some of the barriers people face include difficulty in getting an appointment, worry about putting strain on the NHS, and not wanting to make a fuss.
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Tesco pharmacists have undergone specialist training with Cancer Research UK especially for the new campaign in order to “support conversations with the public about possible cancer symptoms” and to stress the importance of early diagnosis.
The supermarket hopes that by offering a convenient setting to check-in about health concerns, this will help people to feel more comfortable and confident discussing possible signs and symptoms with their doctor.
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Speaking as the campaign launched this week, Paul Pilkington, who is the Head of Pharmacy at Tesco, said: “Often, many of us will put off seeking advice on something that’s worrying us because we’re too busy, can’t get a GP appointment at a convenient time, or simply don’t want to be seen as someone who makes a fuss.
“Being able to have a conversation with one of our pharmacists about a worrying symptom could help lead to a much quicker cancer diagnosis and the likelihood of a successful outcome.”
Michelle Mitchell, who is Cancer Research UK’s Chief Executive, added: “By 2040, there will be over half a million new cancer cases each year in the UK, but the earlier people are diagnosed, the better their chance of survival, so that’s why it’s so important that we’re joining forces with Tesco to make it easier for people to get help if they notice something that is unusual for them.”
Ms Mitchell says the organisation is “excited by the opportunity” to work with Tesco to speed up diagnosis and save lives.
Didsbury, Cheetham Hill, Gorton, Droylsden, Middleton, Stretford, Salford, and Preswitch are just a handful of the Greater Manchester Tesco locations with participating pharmacies.
Featured Image – Tesco PLC
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A FREE family-friendly lantern parade is returning to Altrincham this Christmas
Thomas Melia
There’s a family-friendly lantern parade making its way back to Altrincham town centre this Christmas and it’s completely free.
If you thought the Christmas season couldn’t get any better, you were wrong, as now you can have your very own Rapunzel moment as Altrincham welcomes the return of its lantern parade.
Before these dazzling paper creations light up this Greater Manchester town, there will be a very exciting Nativity Trail spread across various locations starting at Stamford Square.
Not only this, you can also expect a range of family-friendlyactivities running throughout the day featuring everything from live music and storytelling.
And if you’re after getting stuck in yourself rather than just watching from the sidelines, there’ll be lantern making workshops taking place on the day.
Although these classes will be free for all to enjoy, any families looking at attending will still need to book a ticket to create and design their own lantern at at OYEZ Arts in Altrincham Town Hall.
Previous lantern parades that have been held in Altrincham have seen lots of exciting and fun festive surprises with live donkeys trotting through the town last year.
The event itself encourages parade-goers to gather in Goose Green from 4pm before the official walk and lighting takes place from 4.45pm.
This illuminated walk includes a full Nativity cast, local schoolchildren, lantern puppets alongside a live soundtrack courtesy of Sale District Scout and Guide Band.
With the lantern parade finishing in Stamford Square and expected to last just under one hour, there will be a live Nativity performance happening at 5.30pm.
Mandy White, Director of Altrincham BID, said: “The Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey truly capture the spirit of Christmas in Altrincham. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, explore the town and celebrate the festive season.”
Altrincham’s Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey returns on Saturday 13 December from 12pm with lantern lighting at 4pm onwards – all events and further info. HERE.
Featured Images – Supplied (via Altrincham BID)
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‘Disgraceful’ Manchester sex offender jailed after messaging several young girls under 16
Emily Sergeant
A sex offender from Manchester has been charged with 35 offences, including messaging several young girls while on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
William Howarth, from the Miles Platting area of Manchester, appeared at Manchester Crown Court this week where he was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison – with a further six years on licence.
The 23-year-old’s sentencing follows an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT) after Howarth was found to be in possession of an unregistered mobile phone in a visit from his offender manager in 2023.
Howarth was subject to routine checks due to him being an already-registered sex offender managed by GMP through a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and it was here where he had to register his mobile device and hand it over to his offender manager from our Sex Offender Management Unit (SOMU) during home visits.
After Howarth’s phone was seized by police, forensic analysis revealed a number of messages were sent to several young girls under the age 16.
#JAILED | On Thursday at Manchester Crown Court, William Howarth (28/7/2002), of Miles Platting, was sentenced to 15 years & 8 months with a further 6 years on licence – after previously pleading guilty to the 35 offences involving messaging young girls pic.twitter.com/HrYKCVay2l
An investigation was immediately launched, and with the help of police forces across the country, GMP managed to trace the children Howarth had been in communication with – who ‘bravely’ agreed to give their accounts.
Police say Howarth displayed ‘controlling’ behaviour over the children he had been in contact with, not allowing them to refuse his requests.
When the children attempted to make a stand and refuse to send further images to him, Howarth would threaten them by stating if they didn’t do as he asked, he would post their images online.
In a hearing at Manchester Crown Court last week (10 November 2025), Howarth pleaded guilty to the following 35 offences – including 11 counts of breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and possession and making of indecent images of children.
Speaking following Howarth’s sentencing, Detective Constable Joshua Cresswell, from GMP’s Sex Offender Crime Investigation Team (SOCIT), commented: “I’d like to thank the brave child victims in supporting our investigating through agreeing to give us their harrowing accounts of how Howarth came in contact with them.
“Howarth is a disgraceful predator and belongs behind bars away from causing further harm to children.”
Emily Sergeant -
25th September 2024 
