WE have long known that our readers look upon us differently to other newspapers and television. It still surprises us at times.

When photographer Stephen Garnett continued taking pictures of Tim Denton after his crash during the Skipton Festival of Speed, there were angry comments from the crowd.

Perhaps the same people turned off their televisions when the BBC showed pictures of the injured during the September 11 terrorist attacks, or grew angry at pictures of the recent flood disasters. Maybe they even switch off when there's a crash in Formula One motor racing.

The role of any journalist is to record and report. If it is nasty, unpalatable, tragic, distressing even, then it still must be recorded. It is news - and the Craven Herald is no different to any other news organisations. Because we are a "local" paper does not mean that we suspend our judgement and turn the other way when a major incident takes place on our doorstep.

Mercifully major incidents in Craven are few and far between but when they do happen, the world's media will be there and we will be alongside them.

Happily Tim Denton was up, smiling and happy enough to pose for pictures a couple of days after his spill to show the public he was

So that's alright then.