Phil Eckersley, the Conservative candidate for Mayor of Greater Manchester, has visited Saddleworth, making him the only mayoral candidate to do so during the campaign.

Mr Eckersley met with local people to discuss issues including transport, protecting the Green Belt, supporting high streets, and tackling anti-social behaviour. He argues that Greater Manchester's outer towns and villages have been overlooked for too long and wants investment to be shared fairly across all 10 boroughs.

His priorities include improving public transport connections across Greater Manchester's towns and villages, supporting local businesses, and prioritising housing on brownfield sites instead of green spaces. He has also discussed freezing the mayoral precept and increasing transparency at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

"Too often, places like Saddleworth are forgotten while decisions are made with Manchester city centre in mind. As Mayor, I'll fight for better transport that actually connects our towns and villages, back our local high streets and businesses, protect our valued Green Belt by prioritising brownfield development, and make sure every pound of taxpayers' money is spent transparently and wisely."

The mayoral election will take place on Thursday, July 30, to replace new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Other candidates standing include Sian Astley (Reform UK), Geraldine Coggins (Green), Bev Craig (Labour), Marcus Farmer (Independent), Richard Kilpatrick (Liberal Democrats), and Marlon Scott West (Restore Britain).