SIR, We live in an age of international travel, business and communications which even a generation ago, would have been virtually impossible to imagine. And yet despite our much broader horizons, our attachment to our local town and neighbourhood remains extraordinarily strong.

I'm told that more than half of us still live within a 30-minute journey of our birthplace.

And surveys suggest that every important element of a person's life where they work, shop, study, and enjoy themselves remain largely within a few miles of home.

I believe, too, that the importance of community has got stronger not weaker in recent years. There is a renewed pride in local achievements and successes and a stronger need to be involved in the life of your neighbourhood.

I think this helps the renaissance of local newspapers in this country. The best of our local papers and there are many, many examples covering from our biggest cities to our most rural areas play a vital role in reflecting and building the unique character and values of the community they serve.

This growing sense of community drives a growing thirst for local news and information and strengthens the role of Britain's 1,300 regional and local newspapers. Our regional press, of course, remains the backbone of this country's media with 30 million people reading their local paper every week.

All politicians recognise the importance of local newspapers to them and their communities.

They know local papers are more trusted than any other media because you are much closer to your readers who hold you to account for what you publish.

Campaigning and effective local papers also help us do our jobs better, ensuring we don't lose sight of the issues that matter. They help, too, to hold us to account for what we do and what we don't.

It's part of the reason why healthy local papers are so important both to a healthy democracy and vibrant communities. And it's why I'm delighted again to give my support and congratulations to all local papers and their readers during Local Newspaper Week.

Tony Blair

10 Downing Street

London

May 9, 2003 14:00