The Metropolitan Borough of Tameside was created in 1974 as part of a reorganisation of local government in England and Wales. The new area took in the towns of Ashton-under-Lyne, Audenshaw, Denton, Droylsden, Dukinfield, Hyde, Mossley and Stalybridge. The new Tameside Council took over the operation of social services in the borough, including several children's homes previously run by the Lancashire County Council.