The tower is crumbling and is a 'danger to staff' and prisoners say they felt safer during Covid: Inside Strangeways this year

It has been an infamous part of Manchester's skyline for 144 years. It's nearby 'twin', the iconic Boddington's chimney, tumbled in 2007 when the brewery was demolished.

But the stark 234ft high Strangeways tower still looms over the Victorian jail. However a report reveals that it is crumbling - and posing a danger to staff.

It's one a number of details contained in a new report into conditions behind bars at HMP Manchester. It found the prison was dealing with the fact that inmates felt safer during the Covid pandemic than they do under the 'normal regime' and that self-harm has rocketed since things have opened up.

READ MORE: The Queen died with Charles and Anne at her bedside as other senior royals rushed to Balmoral in vain

Meanwhile, razors have been banned, and prisoners are waiting 70 days to see a dentist and 10 days to see a GP.

On the positive side, the prison's gym service has been offering badminton, football, classes for elderly, spin classes and tennis, as well as 'excellent equipment'.

Meanwhile, there are sessions on wellbeing, meditation, acupuncture, creative arts, and support groups to 'promote positive change'. "A member of staff is currently on a training programme to facilitate yoga classes which will run for eight weeks," the report says.

The report was compiled by the Independent Monitoring Board, volunteers who ensure that prisoners are being treated fairly and humanely at their local prison or immigration facility, on behalf of the public, appointed by government ministers.

The latest inspection, the details of which have just been published, covered the period March 2021 to February 2022, when the state of parts of the building at HMP Manchester caused concern.

"Throughout the reporting year