Opinion is well divided on whether Shameless is taking the piss out of the working class or actually reflecting real life. Others believe it's just a comedy and not worth wasting any time thinking about – especially when you could be drinking…

We thought we'd put it to the vote and today went out on the streets of Langworthy, right in the heart of Salford, to see what local people of all ages thought…with some surprising results.

Then Salfordian actor, Ciaran Griffiths, who plays Mickey McGuire, tells us his bonkers character is actually based on someone from Salford…"But I can't say who or I'll get battered!"

THE BATTLE FOR DEMOCRACY

Salford Council's expansion of Life in Salford magazine, the closure of the Salford Advertiser office, the sacking of journalists at the Manchester Evening News group and the plight of the Salford Star is now at the very centre of national politics.

It involves Culture Minister, Andy Burnham, our very own `power to the people' Minister and MP, Hazel Blears, Leader of Salford Council, John Merry and everyone who lives and works in Salford. 

So watch out – there's no democracy about! 

We rated a cross section of council magazines and newspapers from across the north for councillors' egos, Pravda factor and how long they'll last 'til they hit the bin…

Playing Shameless barmaid and sex bomb, Karen Maguire, is cool. But a Bronte bonnet would really turn on Becky's nan...

We'd like to dedicate this special online edition of Salford Star to the memory of Geoff Tyson. 

Geoff cared about Salford's community and heritage and was involved in setting up a new residents association for the Broughton community. He showed his incredible sense of fun when agreeing to be featured in issue 7 of Salford Star, showing us around his very small new house on Camp Street. Geoff was willing to stand up and be counted. Salford Star and the whole city of Salford will miss him.

We asked Geoff's wife, Veronica, to write a tribute…

"They're trying to shut down our school. They've got sheep on our football pitch. They're not listening to us, and they're charging us for protesting! They don't care!"
Heather Ennis - St George's High School pupil

We put it to John Merry, Leader of Salford City Council...

At the end of February 2008, 1000 people marched to save St George's RC High School in Little Hulton, Salford.  The four schoolgirls who organised the demonstration were charged nearly £2000 for the `privilege' of protesting...

Star Date: 28 March 2009

What do we want?
JUSTICE!
When do we want it?
NOW!!!

Today, hundreds and hundreds of Salfordians crossed the border into Manchester to demonstrate freely against the closure of St George's School in Little Hulton. It's the latest stage of a battle that has become more than a school closure and goes to the very heart of British democracy…

Star date: 28th March 2009

Salford City 1 Bamber Bridge 0

`We're staying up…we're staying up…Salford's staying up!'

That was the chant of jubilant Salford City supporters as the Ammies recorded a first home win of the season to keep the impossible dream alive. In the process, Salford City has cut the points gap at the bottom of the Unibond League Div One from 15 points at one time, to a mere 7 points.  With seven games remaining the Great Escape is on…

Read on…

MONDAY 30th March – SATURDAY 4th April 2009

We can't afford to print the current edition of the Salford Star so we're taking it online for one whole exclusive week!!!

Six days packed with great features...

SAVE ST GEORGE'S RC HIGH SCHOOL

Saturday 28th MARCH 2009

Meet at noon Oxford Rd, Manchester and march via Deansgate to Castlefield to save the school that Salford City Council is determined to close.

Bring the whole of Salford with you over the border into Manc-land where they don't charge £ for democracy…

It looked like Salford City FC was doomed to relegation from Unibond Division One…and then…AND THEN…Salford’s biggest football team started winning.  Now this Saturday becomes crucial…Salford City needs your support…don’t miss!!!

Yesterday Elizabeth Pascoe, who has been fighting to save her home in Edge Lane, Liverpool, for four years, finally lost her case in court after initially staving off demolition. Here we print two e-mails.  The first is from Sylvia Wilson of Homes Under Threat (HUT) and the second is a reaction from Elizabeth herself.

We re-print them (unedited) not so much for the technical details, which anyone can find on the net, but for the emotions the case has unleashed. This is about the affect on people's hearts when their home is taken from them...

Read on...

Yep, the blue and yellow birds have landed all over the city in a brilliant new exhibition by Langworthy artist Michael Cuddy.

Salford Arts Theatre until April 1st…

See maps, flats and family snaps of Salford, and bring yer own, to Lawrence Cassidy’s top exhibition at the Chapel St Gallery…

Open Saturday 28th March 2-4pm, then 4th April, 2nd May and 6th June…

Last night a petition featuring thousands of names opposed to the cuts at University of Salford was handed over outside the Old Fire Station accompanied by loud drummers and a noisy demo by lecturers, students and supporters

Rally at the Clifford Whitworth Library at Salford University and then a march to the Old Fire Station Building (Offices of the Vice Chancellor & the Registrar) where petitions will be handed in.

150 jobs going…while the bosses get chauffeur driven cars…and what’s it all got to do with Media CityUK?  Read on and be there…

Yep, Salford Council would have totally got away with closing St George's RC High School if it wasn't for those pesky kids…

Join the justkids4georges Demo on 28th March – in Manchester!

For further details read on…

SALFORD COUNCIL APOLOGISES TO SALFORD STAR…

Read the full story…