More than 100 service users, carers and local people turned up for Trafford’s Putting People First launch. Putting People First, a national development, is aimed at changing social care to give people more control and choice in how their care is provided.

The launch marked the start of a process of working together to develop a Trafford model which meets the needs of local people. Social care in Trafford has been changing from a ‘one size fits all’ approach to providing more tailored and individually focused services.

A pilot of the three-year programme will be set up early next year when service users and carers will test out the principles of the initiative.

There’s good news for shoppers this Christmas. Free parking is being offered in Altrincham and Sale in the run up to Christmas.

Motorists are able to park free of charge at Oakfield Road car park, in Altrincham, from 1pm every Thursday until 18 December, when there is late evening shopping in the town.

There is also free parking on Saturdays at Oakland's Drive car park, in Sale, in the lead up to the festive holiday. Free parking is also available on council car parks after 6pm and on most streets after 5pm on-street, every day and all day Sunday. For more information, visit www.trafford.gov.uk/parking.