The young people interested in becoming members of the Bradford and Keighley Youth Parliament have only just begun their training days, but already the organisation they hope to join is having a positive influence.

All too often when Bradford is featured on television it is for the wrong reasons. It isn't usually a place that TV crews come to when they want good-news stories. As a result, Bradfordians tend to expect the worst whenever the city's name is mentioned in connection with a broadcast.

If Bradford is to win the coveted title of European Capital of Culture 2008, it is vital that that stereotyped perception is changed. A lot of people are working hard to make that happen. Those helping to organise the Youth Parliament made a useful contribution on BBC breakfast television this week.

In a live broadcast shot against an impressive backdrop of new developments in the West End, they made it plain to the wider world that while Bradford might indeed contain some troubled and troublesome young people, they have plenty of bright, committed counterparts who care deeply about their district and are determined to turn around its image and its fortunes. They are assets to the place and the Youth Parliament will give them a voice.

As they embark on their training days it must be reassuring for local people to know that the future of Bradford and Keighley is in the hands of people who are eager to play their part in building a better future and are so enthusiastic about persuading other young people to join them.