Dropping in on welfare charity The Fed's Heathlands Village during a busy two-day Manchester schedule, Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis was clearly impressed by the refurbishment of its central hub.

"It doesn't have the feeling one associates with a care home at all," he said. "It's what people deserve."

Rabbi Mirvis also took in the regional presidents conference at Yeshurun shul and the 10th anniversary dinner of the city's Muslim Jewish Forum.

He breakfasted at Heaton Park Synagogue, had a meeting with Manchester rabbis and attended the shivah for long-serving Beth Din registrar, Rabbi Yehuda Brodie.