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Tuesday, February 17, 2026
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Ahead Partnership appoints Andy Clarke in key role

ESG specialist Ahead Partnership has appointed Andy Clarke as it expands its operations with a national focus.

Andy, an engagement specialist, most recently worked for Manchester Airports Group as head of corporate affairs at Manchester Airport.

He brings a decade of experience working for a range of public and private sector organisations including Asda and Transport for the North. He also assists campaigning organisation Freedom To Donate as their head of parliamentary and corporate engagement.

In the newly created role of head of partnerships, Andy (pictured) will assume responsibility for leading business development in new regions and enhancing the impact of Ahead Partnership.

His mandate includes the expansion of existing programmes and the establishment of new initiatives, with a particular focus on spearheading Ahead Partnership’s growth into Manchester and the North West region.

The appointment comes following the business’s expansion from its Leeds headquarters to now operating programmes across the UK, from Glasgow to Portsmouth.

Stephanie Burras CBE, chief executive at Ahead Partnership said: “We are so excited to welcome Andy to the team. He has a wealth of knowledge and will be pivotal in driving collaborative growth and building strong relationships.

“As we celebrate our 20th anniversary this year, we are looking to strengthen and expand our position to ensure as many employers as possible can benefit from our programmes. We are passionate about the role that employers can play to create strong talent pipelines and enable all young people to understand the opportunities now available to them. Andy’s experience will be a great asset for us as we move forward.”

Andy said: “ESG and social mobility are incredibly important to me and were key factors in my decision to join Ahead Partnership. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to the organisation’s continued growth and success, and I look forward to building public-private partnerships that enable young people reach their full potential.”

Nursery worker found guilty of manslaughter

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Nursery worker Kate Roughley has been found guilty of manslaughter following a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court.

The 37-year-old from Basil Street, Heaton Norris swaddled Genevieve Meehan, a nine-month-old baby, before placing her face down and strapped to a beanbag for more than 90 minutes at Tiny Toes Nursery in Stockport.

Roughley discovered Genevieve’s lifeless body on the afternoon of May 9, 2022. Attempts were made to revive her but she was pronounced dead later that day in hospital.

She denied her actions caused the death of Genevieve.

Sentencing will take place tomorrow.

Paying tribute to Genevieve (pictured), her family said: “It has been just over two years since our beautiful and wonderful daughter’s life was taken from her. Genevieve’s loss has destroyed our family. We grieve for her every day. We long desperately to see her smile, hear her laugh and feel her warm embrace. Her absence is a physical and emotional wound that will never heal.

“Genevieve wasn’t just a baby, she was a person. She loved to laugh, to play with her tambourine, to eat Spaghetti Bolognese and to be with her big sister. She was kind, affectionate, independent and mischievous. She was fascinated with the world and everything in it. She embraced every day. She loved life and we loved her instantly.

“We were amazed every day watching her grow and develop. She was such a strong person, bright and talented. To be in her presence was such joy.

“We will never accept the cruelty of her life being taken away. That we will not get to hear her speak her first words or watch her grow up is impossible to comprehend. Genevieve could have done anything she wanted to. She had her whole life to live and was loved so dearly by her family.

“We grieve for what we do not have. Words cannot adequately convey how much we miss Genevieve. We are so desperate for her to be in our arms as she should be and watching her put on her school uniform in September when she would have started pre-school.

“Instead, we are here in a place we could never have imagined when we took her to nursery that day on May 9, where she was meant to be safe and cared for. The pain of her loss is beyond any measure.

“We grieve for everything Genevieve has lost. Her life, that was so full of wonder and promise, was taken from her.

“We thank the police for their dedication to getting justice for Genevieve, for their professionalism and their compassion. We would not be here without their commitment or the work of the CPS and the legal team who have fought for Genevieve and our family.

“Our beautiful daughter deserves to be remembered for the wonderful person she is, not the nature of her death. She deserves to have a legacy so that her life can inspire others. As a family, we will work tirelessly to ensure she has the legacy she deserves.”

 

How Home Automation Companies in Cheshire Can Reduce Your Energy Bills

Energy prices in the Cheshire and Manchester are soaring, with the average family consuming approximately 2700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas annually. Faced with these steep costs, households are actively seeking budget-friendly alternatives to rein in expenses. Enter smart home technologies, Home automation companies offering a beacon of hope for UK homeowners looking to slash their bills. Let’s explore how embracing smart home technology can deliver substantial savings while also contributing to environmental sustainability in the Cheshire

Age of the Smart Home Technology

The proven benefits of having a seamlessly integrated home that adapts to your daily routines are undeniable, both in the present and for the future of home living. Smart home automation has become ubiquitous, with IoT devices and intelligent appliances gracing households everywhere. From renowned smart assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit to smart light bulbs, thermostats, and security systems, the options are plentiful. Each of these devices brings its own set of advantages, aiding in optimizing energy consumption and ultimately reducing utility bills.

Save Energy with Smart Lighting

Lighting plays a pivotal role in our daily lives, often accounting for a significant portion of our energy expenses. Fortunately, smart home lighting systems offer a remedy to this concern. Industry leaders such as Lutron and Control4 provide innovative solutions designed to minimize energy consumption and cut costs on your bills. These solutions encompass a range of energy-efficient and eco-friendly options suitable for both residential and commercial spaces, including dimmable lighting, smart blinds, switches, plugs, and bulbs.

For instance, smart lights can be programmed to dim, thereby reducing energy usage, while smart blinds allow for optimal utilization of natural light within your home. Additionally, smart plugs offer the capability to monitor the energy consumption of connected devices, enabling you to identify and mitigate sources of excessive energy usage, ultimately leading to savings.

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Studies have demonstrated the significant impact of smart lighting on energy conservation. Dimming lights by just 10% can result in a 19% reduction in energy consumption, while switching from white to yellow-toned light can yield an impressive 54% energy savings. With smart home lighting, not only can you enhance the ambiance of your space, but you can also make substantial strides towards a more sustainable and cost-effective energy future.

Save Energy with Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats allow you to adjust the heating and cooling of your home remotely, so before you get home, you can turn the thermostat on to use the preferred air conditioner. Also, it can learn your temperature habits and monitor outside and inside weather to adjust the best temperature based on the situation, or you can set a schedule for them to operate automatically. Nest is one of the leading smart thermostat companies that help residents have complete control over their air condition at home. For example, it can give monthly reports on consumption to see which area of home wastes more energy, allowing you to prevent energy losses while every room is at an ideal and optimized temperature that results in convenience and energy saving.

Smart Meter Monitors Your Energy

Another useful energy-saving device in your home is a smart meter. The good news about them is that energy companies give free smart meters to houses, and the owners can integrate them into their homes at no cost or at a small price. Smart meters use a secure and intelligent algorithm and data network to deliver energy usage readings automatically and wirelessly. They are equipped with an in-home digital display that helps you to track your energy usage and at what times how much it costs. By integrating smart meters into your home automation system, it can regularly take the energy usage information from the meter and analyze it to deliver your energy usage habits to optimize them and save energy. For example, you can find out which device uses more energy so that you can use it more consciously and reduce or correct the consumption pattern. With the presence of a smart meter, you will never have an inaccurate energy bill, you can benefit from tariff changes at different times of the day, and you can save both energy and the environment.

Statistics of Smart Home Energy Saving

Collected statistics showed that smart homes are really and efficiently functional in saving energy and slash your energy bills

Based on the news, there are 2.22 million smart homes in the UK their energy-saving rate includes:

  • Connected Devices Alliance announced that transforming a home to a smart home reduces your energy usage by 30%.
  • More than 38% of UK individuals believe that smart homes make their lives easier.
  • Nest Labs claims that smart thermostats can save 10–12% on heating costs and 15% on cooling in an average family.
  • Smart bulbs (LED) energy consumption is at least 75% less than the energy usage of incandescents, and LEDs last 25 times longer.
  • Significant carbon footprint reduction is happening with smart smoke sensors and leaking sensors that prevent fires and household water leaks

Home Automation installers in Manchester and Cheshire

Hestia Smart Living established in Altrincham for over a decade, offers a wide range of exclusive home-improving packages to esteemed clients; from tailormade smart lighting, air conditioning, pool ventilation and security to home cinemas and spas.

Visit the website hestiasl.com

Power Beyond Limits with BLUETTI New AC240 IP65 Weatherproof Portable Power Station

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BLUETTI, the pioneer in portable power solutions, is gearing up to revolutionize outdoor adventures once again with its latest innovation, the AC240 IP65 Water Resistant and Dustproof Portable Power Station.

Building upon the success of its predecessor, the AC60, a 600W/403Wh all-weather solar generator, BLUETTI is now raising the bar with the AC240. Scheduled for launch on May 20th, this powerhouse provides increased power, quicker charging, expandable capacity, and more. It’s designed to empower adventurers, outdoor enthusiasts, and emergency responders alike, enabling them to push boundaries regardless of the weather conditions.

IP65-rated Protection Against All the Elements

Ever been caught powerless in a downpour while exploring outdoors? With the AC240, weather worries are a thing of the past. Engineered with IP65-rated protection, this powerhouse is impervious to dust and resistant to low-pressure water jets from any angle. Employing patented tech and safeguards, including independent air ducts, sealed electronic compartments, special drainage, vacuum-coated fans, and double-layer protected ports, the AC240 ensures water stays out and your power stays on.

Even if water manages to sneak in, the built-in exhaust fan swiftly expels it, while the heat dissipation system ensures rapid evaporation during operation. Whether you’re braving tough conditions on an overlanding adventure, sailing the open seas, or tackling a demanding job site, the AC240 is ready for whatever nature throws your way.

A Comprehensive Outdoor Power Solution

Whether it is for outdoor comfort or survival challenges, power matters. The AC240 is your all-in-one power reserve, keeping you connected to the world even when exploring far from the grid. Weighing just 72 lbs (33 kg) and roughly the size of a standard microwave, it fits perfectly in your trunk and quietly accompanies you on any journey.

With an impressive 2,400 W output, the AC240 effortlessly fuels a host of devices including fridges, window air conditioners, microwaves, heaters, and coffee makers. Its 1,536 Wh LFP battery can sustain a 20 cu. ft. fridge (1,2 kWh/day) for at least one day. Plus, with its powerlifting mode, even resistive loads like a hot plate can draw up to 3.600 watts, ensuring no task is too demanding.

Featuring a plethora of outlets, including 4 standard AC outlets, a car outlet, 2 USB-A, two USB-C, and a 12V/30A RV port, the AC240 caters to diverse power needs. Ideal for RV or boat owners, it seamlessly integrates into off-grid power systems for self-sustained adventures.

And with rapid 1,1-hour AC charging at 2,400 W, you’ll always stay ahead of the power curve. For extended trips, pair the AC240 with BLUETTI’s foldable solar panels for solar intake, ensuring a constant supply of clean power, no matter where your adventures take you.

Expandable Power, Uninterrupted Backup

Never worry about running out of power in the wild with the flexible AC240, which supports capacity expansion to give you extra juice for power-intensive scenarios anytime. One AC240 can accept up to four B210 packs, 2,150 Wh each, for a total capacity of 10,136 Wh. These packs can also function independently as water-resistant power banks with three DC outputs and charging options.

Moreover, with its responsive UPS function, which swiftly detects outages and automatically switches to battery power within 15 milliseconds, —a speed that leads the industry—the AC240 system provides a straightforward and robust solution for uninterrupted power supply indoors and out.

Built Tough, Powered Smart

The AC240 is well-built to stand the test of weather and time. Utilizing the safest and most reliable lithium iron phosphate battery, it can achieve up to 100% depth of discharge and maintain 80% of its original capacity even after enduring 3.500 charge cycles, which equal to about 10 years of use. Enhanced by the advanced BLUETOPUS AI BMS, an AI-powered battery management system, the AC240 guarantees safe operation, optimal performance, and an extended lifespan.

With app control support, you can manage power, adjust charging speed, , and more. Additionally, backed by a 6-year warranty, the AC240 provides years of reliable service, offering you peace of mind for the long haul.

Availability and Pricing

The BLUETTI AC240 will be available for purchase on BLUETTI’s official website and Amazon store starting May 20th 3PM CET , with exclusive early bird pricing for both standalone AC240 units and bundles with B210 expansion batteries. Additionally, its premium counterpart, the AC240P , boasting a larger capacity of 1,843Wh and expandability with B210P batteries, will also be available by then.

About BLUETTI

From the very beginning, BLUETTI has tried to stay true to a sustainable future by offering affordable green energy storage solutions for both indoor and outdoor use.

BLUETTI initiated the LAAF (Lighting An African Family) program to ensure well-lit living spaces and equal learning opportunities for African residents in rural areas. Since its introduction, the program has empowered over 12K African families in Kenya, Nigeria, Cameroon, and beyond.

With years of innovation and a caring commitment to the environment, BLUETTI has curated an extensive and reliable product portfolio tailored for adventures, emergency backup power, and off-grid living, making a tangible and positive impact on minimizing our carbon footprint for the greater world we share.

That’s why BLUETTI has become an industry leader that makes its presence in 100+ countries and is trusted by millions of customers across the globe. For more information, please visit BLUETTI online at https://bluettipower.co.uk/pages/about-us

Manchester City to celebrate epic four-in-a-row achievement with parade

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Premier League champions Manchester City will celebrate their historic and unprecedented four-in-a-row achievement this Sunday.

Fans will be able to get a glimpse of the team and the all-important winners’ silverware as the team make their way in an open top bus from the National Football Museum, through Cathedral Gardens and along the length of Deansgate.

They will stop at several points along the route to give everyone the chance to spy their heroes and grab that all important snap.

It is the first time a male team has won four successive championships since the start of the Football League in 1888.

Fans who want to join in the celebrations should note that the city centre is already expected to be busy on Sunday as the Great Manchester Run is also taking place that day. Tens of thousands of runners will take to the city’s streets, with the final stretch of the race finishing on Deansgate.

In order to allow enough time for Deansgate to be reset once all Great Manchester Run activities end at 3.30 pm on Sunday, the Manchester City celebratory parade will be an evening parade starting at 7.30 pm and expected to finish around 9.00 pm.

Drivers should note that there will be a number of road closures in place on Sunday in order to facilitate both the Great Manchester Run and the football parade. Public transport is being strongly recommended by the city council.

Fans planning to attend Sunday’s parade are asked to travel light – no big bags – and not to bring glass bottles in with them.

Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Congratulations to Manchester City. Being crowned premier league champions once again and for an astonishing fourth year in a row is an incredible achievement by the club and its players, showing once again that Manchester’s world class sporting credentials really are second to none.

“We know how much this means to fans of the club young and old – not just in Manchester but around the globe – and the homecoming parade on Sunday promises to be an unmissable night to remember for fans and players alike as they celebrate this historic title win together.”

A list of road closures over the weekend in connection with the Great Manchester Run is already available online at manchester.gov.uk/roadclosures 

A New Jewel in the Chewits Crown: Cloetta UK Introduces Brand’s First-Ever Chewy Gummies

Chewits has transformed its confectionery offering with the most significant launch to its lineup in recent memory: Chewits Jewels.

Combining the pillowy softness of a gummy sweet with the chewiness of a classic Chewit, the pyramid-shaped, sugar-dusted chews are Chewits’ very first soft gummies, marking an exciting new chapter in their long history.

Owned by Nordic confectionery leader Cloetta, the beloved UK brand says the Jewels have also been meticulously crafted to comply with the government’s HFSS (high fat, sugar, and salt) regulations while delivering a delicious, fruity sweet that can “stand confidently against full-sugar and other HFSS-compliant items and not be perceived by consumers as reduced-sugar”.

Have they managed to do so? Initial customer surveys would suggest so, with 82% of respondents in a blind taste trial unable to tell that the Jewels were lower in sugar (WSS Product Testing Report: Chewits Fruity Jewels, Feb 2023).

Available in both Fruity and Xtreme Sour varieties, Chewits Jewels will be the brand’s new flagship product, launched with a multichannel marketing campaign touting the gems as “Chewier than real jewels. Tastier, too.”

As part of the brand’s strategic evolution to appeal to wider audiences beyond young families, the campaign harks back to the iconic Chewits ads of the 70s and 80s, reigniting the brand’s famous sense of humour with social media, influencer, out-of-home and experiential marketing, as well as a long-awaited return to the screen with their first TV ad in over 14 years.

Chewits Jewels are available now at Morrisons, WHSmith, and The Range, with more retailers launching over the coming year.

For more information about getting Chewits Jewels stocked in your stores, head to www.chewits.co.uk

Kerry Boland wins Woman Who Achieves award for inspiring others

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Kerry Boland of the Growth Coaching Collective (GCC) was thrilled to be presented
with a Woman Who Achieves award at a special lunch.

The Woman Who Achieves Awards recognises and celebrates the achievements of
women in business, with this year’s event held in a marquee at Coombe Abbey Hotel.

Kerry, sales strategist (pictured) said: “Winning this award is recognition for what I am creating here at The Growth Coaching Collective. We are a community of ambitious entrepreneurs and ‘Together We Succeed’ as the Mantra goes.

“This award will raise the profile of the GCC and allow us to impact more and more
people with our connected community!

“My mission is to elevate others and this award has recognised my mission to do
so and I will continue to push forward to create worldwide impact for business
owners achieving their goals.”

When Kerry was asked what advice she would give younger ambitious entrepreneurs, she said they should always trust their gut instinct.

She added: “Whenever anyone tells you that you can’t, just know that you absolutely can! When you have that strong sense of inner knowing – even if you don’t know what it is yet – you will! Because I did!”

Sandra Garlick MBE, founder of Woman Who said: “When I started the Woman Who Awards it was only supposed to be a ‘one off’ event. I was fed up with the awards I’d entered and attended. They were boring, full of men in suits, the finalists ignored, and the winners only celebrated for a fleeting moment on stage.

“I wanted to change the perception of awards and for every woman in business who had taken the time to enter to be celebrated. My aim is to make everyone in the room feel as though they are a winner and to have their moment on stage.”

In the 9th year of these awards, categories were removed, allowing each woman to ‘be herself’. It was also the first year there had been an accessibility ramp to the stage so that anyone in a wheelchair or with mobility challenges could have their moment on stage.

Kerry was selected by judges Rebecca Mander and Nishi Mehta, as a role model to others wishing to start and grow their coaching business.

Rebecca said to Kerry: “You’re here because of your approach to connecting with others through your coaching business. Your ability to leverage challenging personal experiences to foster connections and support for others is truly inspiring.”

Kerry had a successful career as a sales director in the communications industry for more than 11 years, and was able to escape domestic abuse to start her own business.

She added: “It is my mission to show survivors of domestic abuse that they can still be
successful entrepreneurs in spite of their experiences not despite them and I am
building a legacy here with the Growth Coaching Collective.”

Scottie Scheffler: Court date delayed for US PGA Championship golf star over arrest

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Golf world number one Scottie Scheffler’s court date has been delayed until June 3 over an incident in which the American was arrested during last week’s US PGA Championship 2024.

Scheffler was arrested on Friday while driving to host venue the Valhalla Golf Club in heavy traffic and had been given an arraignment date of May 21 on charges of second-degree assault, third-degree criminal mischief, reckless driving and disregarding traffic signals from an officer.

The 27-year-old denies all of the charges. Scheffler was trying to reach the course on a day when play at the event was delayed by 80 minutes because of a fatal nearby accident which he was not involved in.

Read our other sports news stories here: 
Newey confirms exit
Fernandes drops bombshell over future
Declan Rice stands by decision to reject Man City for ‘more exciting’ Arsenal move

“It was a very chaotic situation – understandably so, considering the tragic accident that had occurred earlier,” Scheffler said afterwards. “There was a big misunderstanding of what I thought I was being asked to do.”

Two-time Masters champion Scheffler finished on 13 under, eight shots behind winner Xander Schauffele.

“I think ‘hectic’ would probably be a good description,” Scheffler said when he was asked about his week.

“I did my best to leave that [assault charge] behind me and come out here and compete and do what I love, and the support I got from the fans was amazing.

“I think they were cheering extra loud for me this week, and I got a lot of support from the players and caddies as well.”

Scottie Scheffler ‘planning to play’

Scheffler said his scheduled participation in a tournament in Texas which starts on Thursday is “up in the air”.

“I’m not really sure what the next days have in store,” he acknowledged after his final round. “I think I’m able to get home tonight but we’ll see when I leave here.

“I typically try to keep the off-course life as quiet as possible and this week obviously was not that way.

“As of now, I’m planning to play next week. As far as the off-the-course stuff goes, I’m not really sure.”

Why Marketing Insights Are Important For Your Digital Strategy

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Marketing insights are derived from data. They are not the data itself but the understanding that can be gleaned from it. In terms of marketing, this understanding includes information about a business’s ideal target market and includes who they are, what they want, and what they need.

By discovering and understanding this information, businesses can build an authentic and effective relationship with the very people who are most likely to buy their products. In turn, this ensures better profits, a better customer experience, and excellent reviews. Indeed, it is all these things that make marketing insights so crucial to any marketing strategy. Keep reading to find out more.

Digital Insights Help Businesses Stay Agile 

Things move quickly in the digital age, and this means any business that wishes to be successful in this sphere needs to be able to move and make changes quickly too. Happily, good quality digital insights can help with this because they will provide the knowledge required for a business to shift its digital strategy to ensure it remains relevant.

In particular, digital marketing insights into how customers are behaving, as well as any new trends within the field in which the business is operating, will be valuable. With this information, a business can ensure it stays relevant to what its customers need and expect and stay ahead of the game by offering the very best digital experience and products.

Digital Insights Ensure Businesses Truly Understand Their Customers 

The ultimate purpose of marketing is to make sure that the right people know about a product or service and understand why using it will be of benefit. However, it is impossible to make this happen unless the business doing the marketing has an in-depth understanding of the people they are marketing to. That is why it’s crucial to gain insights that help with understanding the target market involved.

In particular, businesses will need to have a good grasp of not only what drives customers to make a purchase but also any specific pain points they are trying to solve by buying a product or service. In having insight on what pain their product or service can resolve for a customer, a business has a powerful insight into how best to appeal to them.

Indeed, many people are under the false impression that stating the benefits of a product will be enough to sell it. However, the most effective way to sell a product is to ensure it eliminates something painful for the user. For example, when selling a car to a customer worried about fuel costs (pain point), highlighting how good the new colour the paintwork comes in will not be as effective as emphasising fuel efficiency.

Insight into the values that customers hold and expect the companies they do business to hold are also vital in today’s market. For example, if those in a business’s target market hold the value of protecting the environment, they will be much more likely to buy from a company that can show they also do the same.

Digital Insights Help Businesses Get The Edge On Their Competition 

Another way in which marketing insights are crucial to a successful digital strategy is that they can provide a huge advantage when looking to stay ahead of the competition. After all, there is a great deal of competition in most commercial markets right now, and that can make standing out very challenging indeed.

The good news is that gathering marketing insights relating to what a competitor is doing online, and how they are doing it can be hugely helpful to a business. This is because a business will be able to compare its own digital presence and strategy to see which is most effective. Indeed, staying abreast of a competitor’s digital marketing strategy can demonstrate what works and what does not in the marketplace. It’s also a good idea to collect insights into a competitor’s digital strategy because it will make sure they do not present any surprise moves or campaigns.

Digital Insights Help Businesses Succeed Over The Long Term 

Finally, digital insights are crucial to any business’s digital strategy because they ensure long-term success. Think of digital insights as the foundations and bricks that help build a winning digital strategy over the long term. A strategy that is agile, relevant to customers, and gives a business the edge over its competition has a much higher chance of success than one that does none of these things.

Dynamic duo to represent Greater Manchester Police at National Dog Trials

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Greater Manchester Police will be represented at the National Police Dog Trials in Scotland  for the first time in over a decade.

Police constable Stuart Oram and Bren will be the only North-west based competitors in the competition starting today, following their qualification in the West Midlands last month.

The duo has been tackling crime in Greater Manchester for GMP for over five years but will temporarily turn their attention to the trials and proudly represent the force.

PC Oram and Bren will be tested over multiple disciplines, including tracking, obedience, control, searching and criminal work.