A Stretford MP is urging Trafford Council to rethink plans to close all but one youth centre in the borough after a Tory minister branded the cuts ‘choice, not a necessity’.

A Stockport councillor has leapt to the defence of Labour MP Emily Thornberry, saying her forced resignation over an ‘ill-judged’ tweet was an ‘overreaction’.

UKIP gave Labour a scare across many of Bolton’s hotly-contested seats – placing a second 12 times.

However Labour retained control with 40 seats, Tories 15, Lib Dems three and finally UKIP’s two.

Kate Green launched campaign earlier this year

Former minister will step down completely in 2015