ONE of the most dispiriting aspects of modern-day Britain is reading the daily drip-feed of negative stories about young people.

Backed by the cynical Tory leader David Cameron, who refers to our country as "broken Britain", you might be forgiven for believing that all of our children are obese, drug-addled alcoholics who occasionally take time off from playing at their computer consoles to mug people in the streets.

The Post on March 28 told a very different story.

I live in Stoke Gifford and my children both attend local schools, one of which, Filton High School, featured prominently in two good news stories.

Firstly, there was a glittering review of the school's excellent production of Guys And Dolls which the Post's highly-respected critic John Packwood awarded 10 out of 10 ("Big apple comes to Filton High").

And secondly, the Post reported on the South Gloucestershire Student Achievement evening at the BAWA club last week at which around 180 children from 16 local schools received awards for their outstanding academic performance ("Sunny smiles at award ceremony").

Today's media-driven world seems to paint a totally inaccurate picture of what is really going on in our country. But our local newspaper gave great prominence to the extraordinary achievements of the pupils of Filton High School and the others in South Gloucestershire.

I could not be more delighted by the high quality of education on offer in our local schools, and last week's positive reporting did them – and, more importantly, their extremely bright pupils – a wonderful public service.

Rick Johansen, Stoke Gifford.