Good news is good news, and next week that is what the Leader is going to be all about.

The saying is believed to have originated when King James I of England allegedly said "no news is better than evil news", and while that might have been true of the times in 1616, it is not anymore.

Today marks the first day in seven years that I no longer work at the Leader, and I couldn't think of a better time to farewell my colleagues, and our readers, than on the eve of our very first GOOD NEWS WEEK.

That's right, every day this week we will be publishing the best, brightest, most heartwarming and happiest stories we can find on the front - but we need your help to find them all.

In my seven years as a journalist in Tamworth I have learnt more about our local community than I ever thought possible, and about the giant communal heart that makes this great town tick.

Our community groups are packed with committee members chipping in each week, and our sporting clubs run on the blood and sweat of an army of volunteers, while individuals, some more than others, are out there every day making the world a better place with good deeds and charitable thinking.

In the Tamworth community I know milestones are celebrated, achievements are acknowledged, and success is recognised, as they should be, so let's shout it from the roof this week, and into the future.

Recognition is never why good people do good things, but it never hurts.

As usual though, we do have a duty to report all news, good, bad or otherwise, which we will always continue to do, but this week we want good news up front, and we want you to tell us about it.

Journalists often hear that we focus on bad news or negativity too much, and while it does rate well, we would always prefer good news, which is why we need you to tell us about it, or else we will never know.

The media are always contacted when bad news happens, or perceived injustices occur, but rarely do people think to call or email regarding good news stories.

Let's change that, and while we start with GOOD NEWS WEEK, hopefully we can keep that ball rolling and the good news stories flowing.