Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 GMT 3 February 2017
Live updates for Greater Manchester and east Cheshire have finished for the day, but we'll be back from 08:00 on Monday with more of the day's news, sport, travel and weather.
Summary
Schools face 'bleak future' from funding changes, warn teachers
Oldham GP surgery remains in special measures after 'inadequate' rating
Window damaged in Beetham Tower closes Deansgate to traffic
Updates on Friday 3 February 2017
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00 GMT 3 February 2017
Weather: Rainy nightpublished at 17:54 GMT 3 February 2017
Cloudy conditions will increase and there will be rain later. Lows of about 3C.
Football: Man City defender's Instagram post fine appeal failspublished at 17:52 GMT 3 February 2017
BBC SportManchester City defender Bacary Sagna's appeal against his £40,000 fine for posting "10 against 12" on social media has been dismissed.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe France right-back, 33, made the remark after his side's 2-1 Premier League win over Burnley on 2 January.
City were reduced to 10 men in the 32nd minute of the match, when referee Lee Mason sent off midfielder Fernandinho.
The Football Association said the post "questioned the integrity of the match official".
Sagna has also been warned about his future conduct.
Arrest after Printworks stabbingpublished at 17:34 GMT 3 February 2017
A man has been arrested after a stabbing near the Printworks in Manchester city centre, police say.
Image source, Peter McDermott/GeographJust after midnight on 16 January, officers were called to the Dantzic Street entrance after reports that a 25-year-old man had been attacked.
The victim was taken to hospital but was later discharged.
A 27-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, abduction and possession of a bladed article in public.
He has been bailed until 27 April pending further enquiries.
How can families help relatives with an addiction?published at 17:28 GMT 3 February 2017
Hyde-based cartoonist Tony Husband - best known for his drawings for newspapers - has spoken with his son Paul, who was formerly addicted to heroin, about how relatives can help loved ones with an addiction.
Team news: Leicester City v Manchester Unitedpublished at 17:10 GMT 3 February 2017
BBC SportPhil Jones is likely to miss out for Manchester United after injuring his foot against Hull.
He could be replaced by Eric Bailly, who is back from international duty, or Chris Smalling.
Leicester striker Islam Slimani remains sidelined by a groin problem, while fellow forward Leonardo Ulloa is still out with a thigh injury.
Daniel Amartey remains at the Africa Cup of Nations, with his Ghana side involved in the third-place play-off.
Headlines from Greater Manchesterpublished at 17:00 GMT 3 February 2017
- "Urgent attention" must be given to improving education in northern England, says George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse Partnership think tank
- A 12-year-old girl who claimed that she had been raped in Levenshulme has now said the original report was "not genuine", police say
- A burglar has been jailed after he was found stuck dangling out of a window in Bury
rugby union 'Rugby is a great sport for women'published at 16:53 GMT 3 February 2017
#getinspired
It's not only the men's Six Nations that kicks off this weekend. The women's equivalent gets under way, too, with Scotland hosting Ireland this evening,followed tomorrow by Wales v Italy and - arguably the pick of the ties - England v France at Twickenham.
The women's game is really taking off across the UK, so watch England full-back Danielle Waterman explain her love of rugby and the different versions you can play - and if you're inspired to pick up the oval ball yourself, check out our Get Inspired guide.
England Women v France Women kicks off at 19:35 GMT on Saturday, with live coverage on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, plus highlights of all three matches on BBC Two at 22:45 GMT.
Mistreated shih-tzu 'didn't even look like dog'published at 16:39 GMT 3 February 2017
A neglected shih-tzu was found with such an overgrown coat that she was almost unrecognisable as a dog, the RSPCA have said.
Image source, RSPCA
Image source, RSPCARosie, as she’s been named by staff caring for her, was handed into a veterinary practice, having been allegedly found as a stray wandering in Chesham Road, Bury.
The dog, thought to be aged between three and six-years-old, had no microchip and no collar or ID tag.
Image source, RSPCARosie is now receiving treatment and the RSPCA have launched an investigation.
Quote MessageThe coat was so bad that the only option we had was to shave it all off. Once we’d removed the fur, it revealed a number of sores and wounds to her skin.
Quote MessageI’d like to hear from anyone who might recognise her or know where she has come from to get in touch by calling our appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Lorna Campbell, RSPCA inspector
Burglar caught after getting stuck in a windowpublished at 16:22 GMT 3 February 2017
Police could scarcely believe their luck when they found a bungling burglar dangling out of a bathroom window.
Image source, GMPSean Crawshaw, 47, got stranded after trying to break in to the house in Radcliffe, Bury.
The homeowner, in her 60s, found him wedged on the windowsill 15ft (3m) up in the air after returning from a trip to the shops.
The long arm of the law plucked Crawshaw to safety and he has now been jailed for the botched burglary.
Image source, GMPNew Blossoms video showcases Stockportpublished at 16:00 GMT 3 February 2017
A video by Brit award-nominated Blossoms has been credited as a love letter to the band's home town of Stockport.
The self-directed video, external for their new single Honey Sweet sees the five-piece band cycling around the town in search of Back to the Future's DeLorean time machine.
Stopfordians will recognise plenty of local landmarks, including Stockport Market, Robinson's Brewery and Stockport County FC's Edgeley Park stadium - as well as their namesake pub, The Blossoms.
The band are up for the British breakthrough prize at this year's Brit Awards on 22 February.
Girl says rape claim was 'not genuine'published at 15:45 GMT 3 February 2017
A 12-year-old girl who claimed in December that she had been raped in Levenshulme has now said the original report was "not genuine", police say.
Image source, GoogleThe girl said she had been attacked while walking on Chapel Street on 22 November.
A 16-year-old boy who was arrested has since been released without charge and no further action will be taken.
Quote MessageAs part of the investigation, we have concluded that it is not appropriate for us to pursue a prosecution in this instance due to a number of vulnerabilities that have been identified.
Quote MessageThe girl is now being fully supported by specially trained officers and partner agencies.
Chief Insp John-Paul Ruffle
Headlines from Greater Manchesterpublished at 15:30 GMT 3 February 2017
- "Urgent attention" must be given to improving education in northern England, says George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse Partnership think tank
- A 12-year-old girl who claimed that she had been raped in Levenshulme has now said the original report was "not genuine", police say
- A burglar has been jailed after he was found stuck dangling out of a window in Bury
Plans for Henry Royce Institute set to be approvedpublished at 15:11 GMT 3 February 2017
Plans for the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, external are set to be approved by Manchester City Council next week.
Image source, University of ManchesterAround 550 scientists are set to work in the 10-storey building, which will be on the University of Manchester campus off Upper Brook Street.
The institute is one of the government's Northern Powerhouse projects - and is designed to complement the nearby graphene research centres.
Watch: Huge straw Peter Rabbit sculpture destroyed in firepublished at 14:53 GMT 3 February 2017
Matt Lee
Breakfast Producer, BBC Radio StokeA 38ft (11.6m) high straw Peter Rabbit sculpture in Cheshire has been badly burnt in a fire.
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service say they were called to Snugbury's ice cream factory in Hurleston, Nantwich just after 17:30 yesterday., external
Media caption, The burnt-out Peter Rabbit sculpture
The firm says the sculpture took about 1,000 man hours to create and was to mark 150 years, external since Peter Rabbit's creator Beatrix Potter was born.
BBC Radio Stoke's John Acres says all that is left is the metal mesh sculpture, the straw covering has been completely destroyed.
The fire service says there'll now be an investigation into how it started.
Weather Watchers: Close encounter with a horsepublished at 14:38 GMT 3 February 2017
The BBC Weather Watchers have been out in force today, capturing interesting images from across the area.
Jod caught the sunrise in Wigan, Harvey Dog was drawn to the serenity in Winsford and Jean's Jewels had a close encounter with a horse in Ince-in-Makerfield.
Image source, Jod
Image source, Harvey Dog
Image source, Jean's JewelsIf you have a weather-related picture you'd like to share, you can find out how on the BBC Weather Watchers site.
Tree planting events to be held across Greater Manchesterpublished at 14:21 GMT 3 February 2017
A few weeks ago, we reported about a new project to plant three million trees - one for every man, woman and child - in Greater Manchester over the next 25 years.
Image source, City of TreesCity of Trees, which hopes the scheme will also test how trees can reduce flooding in built-up areas, has now released details of the monthly tree planting events, external if you want to volunteer.
City of Trees director Tony Hothersall previously said he hoped for a "bit more TLC given to existing habitats, but also to... create more woodlands and natural areas".
Weather: Cloudy conditions aheadpublished at 14:08 GMT 3 February 2017
Brighter skies for the moment but cloudy conditions will increase. Highs of 9C.
Northern Powerhouse report: Schools need urgent attentionpublished at 13:34 GMT 3 February 2017
Judith Burns
Education reporter"Urgent attention" must be given to improving education in the North of England, says George Osborne's Northern Powerhouse Partnership think tank.
In its first report since being set up last year, the think tank identifies what needs to be done to "build a Northern Powerhouse".
"Many issues have been raised with us," said the authors, "but one challenge stood out: education."
Mr Osborne, who is Conservative MP for Tatton, said the region was "at a turning point".
The former chancellor set up the think tank last September to champion the ideas he had pursued as chancellor.
Football: United keeper Henderson recalled from Grimsbypublished at 13:34 GMT 3 February 2017
Simon Stone
BBC SportManchester United have recalled goalkeeper Dean Henderson from his loan spell at League Two Grimsby.
Image source, Getty ImagesAs Henderson was playing regularly, it suggests Jose Mourinho has suffered an injury to one of his three main goalkeepers.
David de Gea played against Hull on Wednesday, with Sergio Romero on the bench.
Third choice Joel Perreira, who made his first-team debut in the FA Cup win at Wigan on Sunday, featured for United’s Under-23 team in their defeat by Everton on Tuesday.
