Some sky-high road signs that have been installed in Radcliffe have become the talk of the town this week.
The tiny blue circular pedestrian and cycling signs have been erected at the top of ’12 foot plus’ poles in the market town.
People have been questioning whether they are designed ‘for giraffes or birds’ and joked that they’re ready for the ‘great Radcliffe stilt race’.
In a hilarious BBC North West news segment that feels like an Alan Partridge skit, a local postman said, squinting up to the sky: “Wow, that’s ridiculous.
“First time in my life I’ve ever seen such tallness. I never knew signs could be that tall.
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“Who’s going to see that? Must be the birds.”
Presenter Phil McCann (he of viral fuel shortage fame) then compared the signs to the height of the world’s tallest man.
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In a post on Facebook, Mike Bower asked: “Please could someone tell us, the council taxpayers of Radcliffe, why and how much these signs cost to erect at the end of Greenbank. 12 foot plus in height with a very small sign on the top. 6 poles in total, there must be a reason hence the question TIA.”
In the comments, one person joked: “Maybe we have giraffes coming to town haha there ridiculous.”
Another said: “Maybe so birds can see that pedestrians and cyclists use the path below and know not to sh1t there. The possibilities are endless.”
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Someone else wrote: “Could be so it’s head height on your penny farthing.”
A spokesperson for Bury Council said: “These signs are required as part of the new Toucan crossing, installed to inform users that the footway is shared use, i.e. for pedestrians and cyclists.
“The signs should be installed at a height of 2.3m, and we have instructed the contractors to adjust any pole that is higher.
“The size of the signs is in accordance with traffic sign regulations, but we have agreed to increase their size.
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“We try to use existing lighting columns or poles where possible to accommodate signs, but this is not always possible due to their location.”
Featured image: Facebook, Mike Bower / BBC North West Tonight
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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.”
Daisy Jackson -
11th August 2022 
