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From Little Hulton. . . to the American dream

2010-03-08T12:05:32

Angela O’Mara recoils at the mention of teen drama The OC. “It’s awful,” she says. Life in Newport Beach, Orange County, California – the setting for The OC – is “nothing like that”, she says.

But, if it’s not quite like TV, her corner of the world is the land of beautiful people. And O’Mara has done her bit to make them yet more beautiful.

Now I’m a high-flying career girl

2010-03-08T12:03:41

The twists, turns and death-defying feats of the Cirque Du Soleil cast are currently wowing audiences over at The Trafford Centre.

And today I’m joining them. Gulp. As my lumpen form is winched into the air from the ground like a sack of spuds, suspended by just two thin straps of leather, I get a sense of how much those spectacular circus performers suffer for their art.

I love me: The key to responsible drinking

2010-02-25T10:20:53

According to the number of units I down on an average Friday night, I am officially a binge drinker.

Drinking four standard glasses of white wine in one evening may seem perfectly reasonable, but convert those drinks into units and it adds up to a whopping 8.4 – more than double the daily recommended amount of two to three units for women.

I love me: HPV Vaccine – controversial or crucial?

2010-02-25T10:31:58

About 2,900 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year in the UK.

It’s the second most common cancer in women under 35 with the human papilloma virus being the major cause.

I love me makeover: When bright is right

2010-02-25T10:48:30

For mum of three Joanne Ramsden, 2010 has already been a year of major milestones. This year, she’ll send her three-year-old son, Charlie, to school and she’ll also celebrate a very significant birthday – her 40th.

Charlie’s first day at school is another seven months away but the celebrations for Joanne’s big 4-0 have been and gone.

I love me: Home is where the hurt is

2010-02-25T10:52:21

When the new domestic violence court hears its first case at Bury Magistrates on March 1 this year it will be a major step forward in the fight against an escalating crime.

During 2008/9, there were more than 70,000 incidents of domestic abuse recorded by Greater Manchester Police. Research indicates that even this figure vastly underestimates the scale as only a minority of cases are reported.

I love me: Help to stop smoking

2010-02-25T10:56:17

Helen Clifton takes a look at some of the events happening around Greater Manchester soon to help you stop smoking

Glamour and sparkle at wedding fair

2010-02-24T14:05:37

All the latest designs in Asian wedding lenghas and saris were on show at the Asian wedding and lifestyle exhibition.

The two-day event which took place at Manchester Central attracted visitors from all over the north-west.

The stigma of a size 20

2010-02-12T11:58:14

As I zip up the fat suit, I look in the mirror and don’t recognise the big person looking back at me.

This suit has doubled my clothes size – from a 10 to a size 18/20. In rough terms, if I was this size, I would have gained six stone.

I LOVE ME: DJ's warning for lovers of loud music

2010-02-09T12:22:01

THE memories of a great club night or gig can last a lifetime. Sadly, so can the damage these nights could cause to your hearing. Jack Barton knows this only too well.

For 22-year-old Jack, music is his life. But he believes being exposed to loud music at gigs, clubbing and DJ-ing, has caused permanent damage to his hearing in the form of tinnitus.

Back in action

2010-02-08T09:24:42

ThermaCare offers real relief for those suffering back pain

New Year New You: Keeping fit with the Wii

2010-02-09T12:25:53

Now, let's be honest – keeping fit is not all that much fun. I think of it as a daily chore designed only to make me ruddy of face, moist of skin and frizzy of hair.

Foundation of modern beauty

2010-02-01T11:40:00

We've all seen those extreme makeover programmes where the prematurely aged woman subjects herself to radical, painful cosmetic surgery in a bid to look 10 years younger.

She's typically a middle-aged female smoker whose garish blue eye-shadow and harsh red or pink lipstick only serves to enhance her wrinkles and downtrodden demeanour.

I LOVE ME: Why your very good health is Andy's goal

2010-01-28T18:39:18

THE New Year promises exciting new health challenges for Andy Burnham and he wants the North West to help lead the way. The sport-loving Secretary of State for Health is looking not just to boost traditional areas of activity and care to aid the nation’s welfare but also to encourage dancing, swimming, cycling and cooking.

I LOVE ME: The big message for mums-to-be is stub it out to protect your baby

2010-01-28T18:15:17

STOPPING smoking is the single most important action a pregnant mother can take to protect the health of her unborn child. When a pregnant woman smokes, her unborn baby shares more than 4,000 chemicals from the smoke she breathes. Smoking during pregnancy causes greater risks of miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight – even stillbirth.

I LOVE ME: 'I want to quit so badly'

2010-01-28T18:18:29

Elizabeth Baker and partner Chris Lloyd are proudly decorating their new home in time for the arrival of their baby in May - and the couple are determined to keep the house smoke-free.

The young couple from Wythenshawe had already banned cigarettes from their previous home, even installing non-smoking signs.

I LOVE ME: A happy, healthy lifestyle - served on a plate

2010-01-28T18:39:41

FAMILY OF THE MONTH: Mum of three, Joanne Ramsden has two life-changing milestones to reach this year.

In a few days she turns 40 and come September, her youngest child Charlie, three, will start school.

I LOVE ME: New book brings asthma advice

2010-01-28T18:23:48

WHEN a child is diagnosed with asthma it can be a shock for the family and a worrying time for all concerned. But help is at hand.

A new book called “Let’s Talk About Asthma” has been launched by a number of healthcare partners across Greater Manchester to help both children and adults cope with the problem.

I LOVE ME: Josef turns to asthma book to understand all about his condition

2010-01-28T18:26:31

SIX year-old Josef (correct) Stevenson-Hornby knows exactly what to do if he starts wheezing at school.

The youngster goes to the drawer in his classroom at St Peter’s Primary School in Hindley where asthma inhalers are kept, gets his own and starts taking in the relieving drug.

Healthy the hard way

2010-01-19T13:50:47

FOR a woman who discovered her healthy lifestyle the hard way, Debbie Moore has worn remarkably well.

The founder of the Pineapple dance and fashion label was still a young model when an underactive thyroid led her to pile on the pounds and threaten her career.

NEW YEAR NEW YOU: Part 2

2010-01-19T13:52:57

AS a determined dieter over many, many years, I've always been looking for the “miracle” cure to shift those excess inches with the minimum of effort.

Martin Lewis: Heed my wealth warnings

2010-01-20T10:29:16

I ONCE met a man with £80,000 in savings earning less than one per cent interest.

While he had £80,000 outstanding on his mortgage – yet he said he was good with money.

Like many, he thought being thrifty and a careful budgeter was enough.

NEW YEAR NEW YOU: Part 1

2010-01-19T13:55:44

I'VE always been a bit of a Strictly Come Dancing fan.

And having watched the hit BBC show religiously over the past six years I've seen how learning to dance has helped celebrities whittle the weight off in super-quick time – this year the pounds have dropped off the likes of Eastenders stars Natalie Cassidy and Ricky Groves after all that foxtrotting for our entertainment.

Spa Special: Molton Brown, Manchester

2010-01-07T15:01:41

WHEN I popped in to Molton Browns day spa I needed a reprieve from Christmas shoppers.

A brass band was playing, the German markets were in full swing and I was cold and crotchety.

Spa Special: Ragdale Hall, Leicestershire

2010-01-07T15:05:26

THE fat burner class was full of women of all ages, sizes and backgrounds united by a common desire.

It was a chilly Monday morning, 10 days before Christmas and we could have been lounging around in squidgy chairs, lazing in a Jacuzzi, or sweating it out in a sauna. Instead we chose to sweat it out with an aerobics teacher.

I LOVE ME: Back in the game

2009-12-29T09:42:53

PREMIER League referee Mark Halsey and his wife Michelle will breathe a huge sigh of relief when midnight finally strikes on December 31 and they can wave goodbye to 2009.

“It’s been a nightmarish year,” admits Mark, rubbing his hand over a head made bald by the chemotherapy treatments needed for a particularly aggressive throat cancer.

AUSTRALIA: Victoria

2009-03-25T11:33:22

On our journey to the heart of wine-making country in the Yarra Valley we saw blackened fields where grass and vines once grew.

The valley was a patchwork of scorched earth interspersed with smooth yellow-green paddocks, a microcosm for the fires that ravaged everything in sight in some areas but left others unmarked.

The Fattest Man In Britain

2009-12-15T17:14:26

HARRY Potter star Timothy Spall tells Ian Wylie about his latest heavyweight TV role as a Rochdale gentle giant and eighth wonder of the world in a new comedy drama co-written by Caroline Aherne.

Blowing away old stereotypes

2009-12-14T09:32:30

MARTIN Wainwright recalls his uncle, a vicar in Bradford, explaining why people there never took their overcoats off. “If it isn’t raining, it soon will be,” the thinking went.

It’s an example of how northerners can bolster the clichéd images of the north. The “grumpiness factor” makes it difficult to unpick all those old stereotypes.

A Wave to change the world

2009-12-04T11:45:15

AT around 8am on Saturday, two trains carrying hundreds of north west people will leave Manchester's Piccadilly railway station for a journey which could quite literally help to change the world.

The trains have been chartered by The Co-operative in Manchester so that its members can take part in The Wave – a march through the capital aimed at ensuring that politicians can have no doubt what voters think about climate change.

Steal Cheryl Cole's style with a fakeover!

2009-12-03T13:31:27

EVER wanted to look like a WAG a la Cheryl Cole?

Well, me neither. But those women who do – but lack the obligatory millionaire footballer boyfriend – might be pleased to know that the look can be created without going under the knife and for less than you might think.

How you can look sharp on HD TV

2009-12-03T13:23:09

AS if celebrities didn't have enough to worry about, I hear the dawn of High Definition TV is sending some of those sensitive little lambs into a bit of a tizzy.

Because HD TV promises to give a sharper picture, it means potentially a five times closer look at every tiniest line on our TV stars' faces.

I LOVE ME: Corrie’s Conor is no bad boy

2009-12-03T13:38:46

HE’S known as threatening bad boy Len Windass, bringing his own brand of terror and trouble to the Corrie cobbles. But Wythenshawe-born Conor Ryan is a good actor.

As is often the case in soapland, he’s nothing like the character he plays.

I LOVE ME: A safe night out

2009-11-26T10:25:38

SO you’ve got on your coolest outfit and you are definitely looking good. The last thing you want to know about is anything to do with a "safe night out"!

But, hang about. Perhaps you’d like to have plenty more good nights out, especially over Christmas when everywhere is buzzin’.

I LOVE ME: Think before you drink

2009-11-26T10:40:07

WE all want to have a good time over the festive season with plenty of eating and drinking – but for some it all just goes too far.

And when it comes to drinking too much, especially when we are out and about, we put ourselves into a potentially dangerous situation where we could become the victims of crime, violence or even sexual assault.

I LOVE ME: Eat well on a budget

2009-11-26T13:23:13

HEALTHY eating and budgeting are not words often used to describe the perfect Christmas. We all know Christmas is expensive at the best of times, with the average family spending more than £60 on Christmas dinner.

No-one wants to be thought of as a party-pooper or a Scrooge, but with a bit of careful planning you can cut both the cost and the calories of Christmas without losing your festive cheer.

I LOVE ME: New start for me and the kids

2009-11-26T10:52:12

Mother of four Jade Hammond has recently given up her 20-a-day smoking habit after her children told her: "We don’t want you to die."

Jade says: "The children learned of the dangers of smoking at school and when they said that it really made me think, plus it was costing so much money as well."

I LOVE ME: Stay well for winter

2009-11-26T10:57:25

AS Tameside health authority chair and GP Dr Kailash Chand knows well, the Christmas rush is not just something to expect at the Trafford Centre.

While shops are experiencing record footfall at this time of year, so too are doctors surgeries and A&E departments across the region.

I LOVE ME: Steer clear of accidents

2009-11-26T10:59:06

IT IS estimated that 80,000 people will visit A&E this Christmas because of accidents in the home.

"Christmas is a time when your home is likely to be full of people and it is in the excitement of the season that accidents can easily happen," says spokeswoman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Jo Stagg.

I LOVE ME: Beat the blues

2009-11-26T11:02:16

TIS the season to be jolly, but sadly, for some, this emphasis on having a good time only serves to increase feelings of stress and loneliness.

Most of us know that whatever the advertising tries to sell us, there is no perfect Christmas. However, that doesn't make the pressure any less to try and achieve it.

I LOVE ME: Ask the experts

2009-11-26T11:15:14

Our panel of experts answer your questions about your winter fuel bills

I LOVE ME: Ask the experts

2009-11-26T11:25:55

Our panel of experts answer your questions on how to cut your bills, keep in precious heat, fuel poverty and cold temperatures

I LOVE ME: New era for the playground game

2009-11-24T10:58:50

IT was a moment that brought the humiliation of school PE lessons vividly back: the scratchy kit, the alkaline pang of the changing rooms – and the shriek of the teacher’s whistle as I unwittingly committed yet another foot-fault.

England netball star Jade Clarke had just winded me with a clobbering chest pass and it was all I could do not to crumple to the squeaky gymnasium floor.

‘Our Gracie’ gets her voice back...

2009-11-24T11:02:56

JANE Horrocks wants to set the record straight for our Gracie, a queen of hearts who ended up receiving hate mail.

The pride of our alley and the highest paid performer in the world at the time, Rochdale-born Gracie Fields was later booed off stage and called a traitor.

These kids can dance their way to a better life

2009-11-24T11:00:27

Brimming with self -confidence as she spins and twirls to her favourite Beyonce song, six-year-old Natalia Wogawoda gets full marks for confidence from Strictly judge Alesha Dixon.

"I think she needs to come out of her shell a little bit more," Alesha jokes, raising her eyebrows and flashing the dance teacher a smile.

The last action hero of Eccles

2009-11-19T09:49:34

IT was the height of the 1980s video rental boom and Manchester had its very own action hero.

But whereas Charles Bronson, Sylvester Stallone and Chuck Norris went on to secure a place in the annals of gritty VHS history, the knock-'em-dead exploits of Cliff Twemlow have been largely forgotten.

Beyond the pale?

2009-11-18T18:01:28

TO be fair skinned is to be beautiful. Well that’s what I was told by my Asian neighbours when I was eight.

Skin colour had never been an issue for me but then I found myself looking at my brown skin and I was a bit confused. Was I really not beautiful because I was brown?

The high cost of a lethal addiction

2009-11-17T09:47:41

KATHY began drinking alcohol when she was 16 and out with the girls but it escalated to drinking alone at home and ran to a litre of vodka a day. By her mid-30s, she was found dead from liver failure in a skip on a rubbish dump.

Between those ages lies a tragic story of a young woman who tried to fight her addiction, but ultimately failed.

Other side of The Wire

2009-11-16T17:25:29

THE hard-bitten crime reporter from the city made famous by The Wire pauses as he searches for an adjective to describe Moss Side.

"Compared to an American housing project, Moss Side looked.....decent," says Justin Fenton, from the Baltimore Sun newspaper. "Some of the areas (in Britain) I have been told are bad areas, we would not consider bad in our country.

Christmas decoration to give you some sparkle

2009-11-12T15:25:33

TIS the season to be fabulous.

Yet finding the perfect party dress can be a nightmare.

Why gender is still high on the agenda

2009-11-12T15:29:01

ON paper, Vanda Murray looks truly terrifying. Her CV outlines 20 years experience at senior levels across a range of industries in the UK, Europe, Asia and the USA and she also manages to fit in being deputy chair of the North West Regional Development Agency.

With a husband, two children and a bag always packed and ready by the front door so she can fly off at a moment’s notice, here is a superwoman if ever there was one.

Murky world of the fake internet pills

2009-11-11T15:26:13

THE multi-millionaire lifestyle of Ashton under Lyne businessman Martin Hickman demonstrated in no uncertain terms the riches available to people peddling prescription drugs illegally on the internet.

Hickman is thought to have made £6m selling fake and unlicensed Viagra-like prescription drugs – enough to buy a £500,000 country house, a £2.4m Chelsea flat and a home in Marbella.

The ‘credit reject’ card – use it wisely and see your score soar

2009-11-09T12:46:05

HOW’S your credit score? Almost certainly it’s nowhere near as good as you imagine.

Since the credit crunch started, everyone’s has been knocked down a level. Those who once had ‘excellent’ scores are now now get the products that people with just ‘good’, ones now get, those with good scores get now get ‘ok’ to poor’ products and if you’ve a poor score … forget it.

It’s a blast for Rocket Man

2009-11-09T12:42:41

THE turning point in the life of a rocket scientist came in a model shop on Deansgate, Manchester, 15 years ago.

Daniel Jubb and his grandfather Sid Guy had been messing about with chemistry sets and rocket-making for years.

No lie-ins but a whole lot of laughs

2009-11-09T12:37:42

‘HERE’S your question Melissa … in which city is the Leaning Tower of Pisa?" Quick as a flash, Melissa came back with the obvious answer.

"Islamabad."

Dressed to win in the numbers game

2009-11-04T11:31:52

PERCHED elegantly on her stool under the watchful gaze of the big Countdown clock, Rachel Riley looks a picture of composure. At 5ft 7ins, the statuesque 23-year-old towers over host Jeff Stelling in her stylish black high heels.

But when she was brought in to replace brain box Carol Vorderman earlier this year, Rachel knew she had big shoes to fill.

My blood pressure was so high, it made my eye go pop

2009-11-03T13:34:51

THE turning point in Kevin Healey’s life came during a business meeting in April.

"I felt a bit dizzy, and my eye started going all over the place," he recalls. "I started squinting. I thought I was going to pass out, so I went to the accident and emergency at Manchester Royal Infirmary."

Autumn fashion special

2009-10-19T15:20:39

FASHION followers gathered at the altar of style as upmarket store Harvey Nichols showcased its autumn/winter looks at Manchester Cathedral.

With six weeks to go until the festive season gets into full swing, celebs and WAGS turned out in force to draw up their frock wishlists in an unusual but highly effective venue for a fashion show.

Strictly sequins for autumn sparkle

2009-09-21T15:57:06

Strictly Come Dancing has got us lusting after some serious sequins. Helen Tither shows you how to add some sparkle to your wardrobe with this season's shiny must-haves.

Trying the tango - Strictly Come Dancing style

2009-09-17T16:10:20

As Strictly Come Dancing fever sweeps the nation, our own dancing queen Dianne Bourne tries out a few moves of her own.

But can she stand the heat of the Argentine tango?

The queens of catwalk cool

2009-09-17T16:38:08

Never mind London Fasion Week - Manchester is brimming with top new designer talent.

Helen Tither took a front row seat at the Triangle's North West Young Designer of the Year Competition to catch the city's rising fashion stars.

Are these thigh high £1,295 boots made for walking?

2009-09-10T11:12:57

Thigh high leather boots by Christian Louboutin are latest footwear trend to exercise the calves of Manchester's fashionistas, but MEN fashion writer Helen Tither asks if the £1,295 boots are made for walking.

Style on a Shoestring: Student chic

2009-09-09T14:56:56

You can head off to uni in style, whatever your budget - with our lessons in getting kitted out for less.

Helen Tither rounds up the top high street buys for everything from oven mitts to must-have fashion.

Tough fashion to fight the recession

2009-09-09T15:34:06

Shoulder pads, spiky heels and leather dresses are back with a vengeance - as fashion toughens up to tackle the credit crunch.

Helen Tither shows how to rock that Recession Warrior look with style.

Go green for eco chic school uniforms

2009-09-02T11:19:16

It's back to school on the style front - and you've got to go green to be down with the kids this term.

Helen Tither does the homework tracking down the best eco-friendly kit and accessories so you don't have to.

Fitness expert Joanna Hall walking her way to happiness

2009-08-13T10:19:58

JOANNA Hall is teaching me to walk the walk. Striding out in Spinningfields, in Manchester city centre, in front of dozens of confused-looking diners, the fitness expert tells me I need to walk from the back not the front. Eh?

It all sounds back to front to me but is apparently a matter of using the muscles at the back of your legs rather than those at the front - which most of us do.

BEAUTY: The Green Peel eco facial

2009-08-04T11:32:57

EVER wondered what the WAGs do for a quick beauty boost?

Apparently even the famously fussy footballers' wives are getting in touch with their eco sides these days, opting for an intensive natural facial product known as the Green Peel. Beverley Walkden tries it out.

Get the Coco Chanel look for less

2009-08-03T17:30:54

COPING with the credit crunch, well, it's just so dull isn't it? So thank heavens for the arrival of the summer's must-see fashion film, Coco Before Chanel - sweeping its way onto screens this week to become the height of cinema chic.

We show you how to steal the movie's look for less.

ASK THE EXPERTS: Swine flu

2009-08-03T16:43:54

Our experts answer a range of questions about swine flu, offering advice concerning prevention, pregnancy, travel and workplaces.

Read on to discover the best course of action for your situation.

T-shirts that are just tattoo cool

2009-07-20T15:38:04

He might have moved Stateside but David Beckham's tattoos are still 100 per cent Mancunian.

Now, his favourite tattoo artist, Middleton-based Louis Molloy, has brought out an exclusive fashion range based on some of his most famous body art designs.

BEAUTY: Hot hair looks for summer

2009-07-16T12:46:12

Give your hair a break when you go on holiday - by ditching the straighteners and opting for simple beach chic instead.

We get some top tips from the style team at Trevor Sorbie in Manchester designed to have your locks looking lovely without the stress.

BEAUTY: Putting a brave face on the recession

2009-07-15T11:10:32

Never mind the credit crunch - women are still spending £1.1bn on make-up every month. With the average make-up bag worth around £57.

Here in Manchester, however, our beauty-loving shoppers are spending even more. Helen Tither finds out why we are still willing to lavish our cash on lippies - and how you can stock up for less.

Eye spy the perfect summer shades

2009-07-15T16:53:32

As summer hots up it's time to find out which sunglasses frames suit your face shape.

Elisa Menendez gets some top tips.

Going gaga for Lady's look

2009-07-02T10:53:36

OUR very own Lady Gaga went goo-goo after being transformed into the pop siren in just two hours.

Elisa Menendez, 16, was among the thousands of fans left wondering how the flamboyant pop star achieved her futuristic hair-do sported during a visit to Manchester this week.

Faces of Manchester revealed

2009-05-29T10:06:30

THERE are now TWO Faces of Manchester! Judges were unable to pick an outright winner and so decided to make it a double.

Barrister Sophie Robinson and student Zak Lees were both named the joint winner of the M.E.N.'s Face of Manchester 2009.

Erin Brockovich is still out to defeat deceit

2009-07-02T10:49:58

Erin Brockovich's fight against contaminated water supplies was made legendary in an Oscar-winning film starring Julia Roberts.

However, for environmentalist, Erin the fight against deceit is ongoing. She says: "I've seen the end result of choosing money over morality and it doesn't work."

Curtain up on the city

2009-05-15T15:04:55

A guided walk can help you view Manchester like never before - it's all about knowing where to look.

Blue Badge Guide, Ray Hoerty points out some of the city's hidden gems on his walking tour, Break A Leg: Manchester's Theatre History.

"It's common to walk around a city without really seeing it," he says. "I always recommend people lift their eyes beyond the shop fronts to get a real feel for a building's history."

Vintage chic and classic bargains

2009-05-13T11:22:55

Hone your own retro look at Manchester's latest fashion fair.

Whether it's the current nostalgia for 80s fashions, Indie kid 90s, 70s party pants, 60s mini-skirts or 50s glamour, each decade has items to suit every taste.

Fashion markets and fairs are a great place to find one off bargains. We take a look at Vintage - a fortnightly arts and fashion fair at cafe bar, TV21 in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Power of dreams

2009-05-07T17:58:24

A man whose fiancée was diagnosed with a brain tumour tells how true love has kept their dreams alive.

Promising to keep Rebecca Shone smiling through her treatment, John Walker set about making the dreams they'd shared come true.

"When your plans are stolen and the love of your life is told she could have six months to love, you feel despair," he says. "But I was determined to keep the beautiful smile on Rebecca's face."

Bride or Bridezilla?

2009-05-06T11:16:29

Kate Park knows about organising a wedding. She even does it for a living. So, surely she wouldn't panic before her own big day?

It should be the happiest day of your life, but with so much expectation it's no wonder that tension can run high during the run up to a wedding.

But there are ways to help ease the stress and prevent a beautiful bride turning into a Bridezilla - we show you how.

All your holiday health queries answered

2009-05-11T09:34:30

SUMMER is on its way and if you are looking to travel abroad now is the time to start preparing.
So, whether you've got questions about travel jabs or how long that half-used sun cream will last our panel of experts has the answers.

Posh style frocks on a shoestring

2009-04-16T17:14:35

Victoria Beckham's ultra exclusive - and ultra expensive - dresses have hit Manchester.

But can you get the look for less on the high street? We asked Channel M Breakfast Show presenter Nikki Dean to try them on for size.

Dress to the maxi to copy Coleen's style

2009-04-16T16:41:25

It's time to go full-length for full on glamour this summer as maxi frocks take the high street by storm.

We take a look at how WAG Coleen Rooney is wearing the look - and show how you can get it right for less with our budget buys.

Financial help for cancer sufferers

2009-04-15T10:50:31

Financial worries are second only to pain for causing stress and anxiety among cancer sufferers, but there is help out there, if you know where to look.

Exotic Ingredients, Are They Worth It?

2009-05-07T13:57:37

DOES 24 carat gold help your glow? Will oyster extract make your skin suppler? And, will snake venom enhance your beauty product's effectiveness? Susannah Taylor reports.

Five years ago if your skin cream didn't contain green tea, caffeine or Vitamin C then it wasn't worth using - now it takes a whole lot more than a lug of grape extract to impress our beauty clientele.

Shoestring Style: Sample sale chic

2009-04-01T12:39:20

Even the most fashionable shoppers are looking to save money in the credit crunch.

Which is why invitations to sample sales have become the hottest tickets in town.

We find out how to get designer style at budget prices.

A slim chance for new mums

2009-03-24T11:30:30

Celebrity mums snap back into shape in a matter of weeks, putting an unfair burden on mums in the real world. Now they are saying: Enough!

Your money or your life?

2009-04-02T14:28:14

Cheap supermarket booze may be light on the pocket, but at what cost to your health? Carmel Thomason speaks to one man who paid the price.

What have you got Toulouse?

2009-03-24T10:06:27

IT'S a French city with a difference. And now bmibaby is making it easy for you to sample its delights with three direct flights every week from Manchester International Airport to Aeroport Toulouse Blagnac...

CHIC-ONOMICS Affording afternoon tea

2009-03-23T16:14:20

Don't go without life's little luxuries. Our chiconomics column shows you how a few small savings can help you splash out on something special.

This week, how skipping that morning coffee and croissant could add up to a five-star afternoon tea.

Slimmers grab a slice of heaven... diet pizza

2009-03-19T12:44:07

Pizza is commonly thought of as a dieting disaster, but not according to one popular chain. Carmel Thomason investigates whether it's possible to be a successful slimmer and eat fast food.

How Bikram yoga beat my stress

2009-03-18T18:08:45

With the recession leading to a rising unemployment, experts are predicting an anxiety epidemic.

We meet one man with a stress-busting solution - after jacking in his job in investment banking to become a yoga teacher.

Style on a shoestring: DIY mechanics

2009-03-13T17:50:53

Jumpsuits are all the rage this season - as more women learn how to keep their cars on the road.

Helen Tither finds out why mechanics qualifications are the latest must-have.

By trying out a free course telling you all you need to know to keep your motor running during the credit crunch.

Cut your cooking costs

2009-03-12T11:05:53

TOP chef John Quilter shares two recipes which show you how to feed more for much less.

Watch John prepare salmon fishcakes with a tomato dressing and confit chicken served with lemon mash.

Crunch lunch

2009-03-12T11:36:31

JUST a few paces from M.E.N. towers lies the Hog's Head public house, scene in a less austere age of a million liquid lunches.

Not only are those days now long gone, but the credit crunch means that those forgoing the boozy break are now also looking for cheap lunches too.

Latest looks for under £10

2009-03-12T13:58:52

SO you are trying to save a few pennies - but don't exactly want to sew all your own clothes out of second-hand socks. Is there any other way to get your fashion fix without breaking the bank? Why not try our £10 challenge?

See picture gallery

How to save £5,000 a year

2009-03-12T14:20:13

ARE you fed up of hearing about the credit crunch? You can fight back by following these tips which could save you up to £5,000 a year.

Cobblers!

2009-03-12T12:19:40

HERE'S a trade that's saying `cobblers' to the credit crunch.

Repairing shoes is now a booming business - and it's not just the down at heel who are going to the cobblers.

Anniversary of women in army

2009-03-12T14:23:41

CAPTAIN Julie Finn believes there are no obstacles in her way when it comes to a long and illustrious career in the army and in terms of equality in the forces, she believes the battle of the sexes is long won.

Style on a shoestring: DIY hair

2009-03-06T15:35:12

Hollywood glamourpuss Jennifer Aniston might have £40,000 to splash out on making her locks look lovely - but the rest of us are looking for more bargain-friendly barnets.

Hence the return of the home haircut, as even Manchester's most stylish savers try to cut the beauty budgets.

Backstage with Henry and Agyness

2009-02-26T15:04:39

OVER in the corner celebrity wild child Pixie Geldof is showing off her latest piercing.

On the other side of the room, her equally famous sibling, Peaches, is busy being filmed for her own fly-on-the-wall TV show.

Sweet taste of yesteryear

2009-03-06T11:20:06

TIZER, Monster Munch, Wagon Wheels, we are comfort eating our way through the recession and we're seeking out brands from our childhood.

Marks & Spencer knows a thing or two about capturing a national mood. So what are we to make of it when this favourite retailer launches a 75p jam sandwich?

Style on a Shoestring: The Recession Dress

2009-03-03T18:14:53

Can you look trendy for less than a tenner? Yes - according to the makers of a little red dress promising to be the height of credit crunch chic.

But will this bargain friendly buy fool the city's fashionistas into thinking it was more expensive? Helen Tither tries it on for size.

Get Winslet's winning look for less

2009-02-25T17:18:53

It's not the gongs but the gowns that really matter at the Oscars - with Kate Winslet taking our award for Best Dressed as well as Best Actress on the night.

Now, you can get your own slice of Hollywood glitz and glamour on the high street with our guide to dressing like the stars - for less.

Style on a shoestring: fab flowers for a fiver

2009-02-17T17:59:44

Brightening up your home with some blooming gorgeous bouquets doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Flower expert Laura Hall has designed displays for some of Manchester's biggest events. Take a look at her tips for green-fingered magic for less.

Style on a Shoestring: Designer charity chic

2009-02-04T18:05:39

Second-hand chic is reaching new heights in Manchester - with the opening of a charity shop bidding to be the first port of call for posh fashionistas.

Just a stone's throw from Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, it's hoping to sell designer labels for less. We took a look in store.

Style on a shoestring: Budget brides

2009-02-02T17:23:43

The ever-spiralling cost of getting hitched is putting countless couples off saying "I do".

But you don't have to take out a second mortgage to get married. Take a look at our guide to getting down the aisle, for less. From gorgeous high street gowns, to bargain party ideas, we've got it covered.

How to be beautiful on a budget

2009-01-27T14:21:18

How can you get a slice of spa style luxury at credit crunch prices?

Checking into your local beauty school could save you a fortune, as trainee therapists try out their skills for a fraction of the price. We've tried and tested it for you.

The homes with £1 price tag

2008-11-19T16:18:09

A DETERMINED couple have snapped up two historic buildings at the gateway to Manchester's Philips Park for just £1.

The drawback is that both the Grade II listed buildings were derelict and Gail Spelman and her partner Robert Watterson are gambling everything to restore them and bring them back into use.

Style Extra: Vintage fashion trend talk

2008-11-03T15:38:36

Fashion's gone back in time this season as vintage looks from across the decades make a come-back.

Take a look at our video guide to getting it just right, as we get some top high street tips. From fabulous forties-style frocks to glamorous gothic Victoriana.

Style Extra: CoCu Store Tour

2008-11-03T12:32:29

Take our guided video tour around Manchester corset emporium CoCu to see how the city's celebrities get figure-hugging fashion to die for.

Designer Slim Chadwick takes us on a personal visit around the Barton Arcade store, which specialises in traditional hand-made corsets and skirts for special occasions.

Style on a shoestring: Budget beauty

2008-10-29T14:09:13

Don't let money worries mess up your make-up routine. Face the credit crunch in style with our guide to looking fabulous without spending a fortune.

So save those pennies and take a peek at the top beauty treats we've rounded up for under a tenner.

Style on a shoestring: designer charity shop chic

2008-10-28T17:21:04

Customizing is the new style buzz word as thrifty fashionistas set about turning old clothes into something new. Here in Manchester two designers are setting the trend by transforming old wares at Oxfam into new must-have pieces.

We take a look at their creations - and get some top tips for trying it yourself at home.

Forget shopping, go swapping

2008-10-15T17:29:14

Never mind the credit crunch - you can look stylish on a shoestring with our new series of budget fashion features. First up, what about finding some cool new clothes for free?

We check out the latest craze to send fashionistas into a flutter - swap shop sales.

Store Tour: Vicky Martin

2008-08-11T12:01:57

PRESTWICH-based fashion designer Vicky Martin creates fabulous frocks for Manchester’s best-dressed celebrities - Including Coronation Street stars Kym Ryder and Helen Flanagan, and Emmerdale actress Roxanne Pallett.