I WAS delighted when I was asked to write an article to celebrate Local Newspaper Week for syndication in local papers around the country. Not just because it gives me a golden opportunity to communicate with more people in my own words, rather than those which others choose to attribute to me, but above all because I am a great admirer of local newspapers.

They play an important role in the life of local communities by talking about issues which really matter to people. I have a feeling that the view from London can sometimes distort the reality of life elsewhere; and I suspect it is everyday life which really matters to people.

Local newspapers, by the very nature of their positions, must be better able to identify and recognise people's concerns more readily than most.

And, on the whole, I have found that local newspapers are more free of the debilitating cynicism which often seems to be all-pervading in the national media.

One of the reasons for thinking this is the coverage which the local papers give to the work of The Prince's Trust which I set up over 23 years ago.

The Trust exists to help disadvantaged young people aged between 14 and 30 to succeed in their lives where previously, for all sorts of reasons, things have been tough. We do it by delivering high quality programmes meeting needs which are not met by others.

We work through a nation-wide network which provides training, business start-ups, mentoring and support in and out of school. All this happens in communities across the country - and it is local newspapers who are the best reporters of it. They give supportive and positive coverage to young people who are succeeding against all the odds.

But more than that, they are a vitally important way for my Trust to reach the young people whom we want to serve - be it directly, or indirectly through their parents, schools and youth organisations. And I believe we have much to offer them.

We give young unemployed people the financial backing to set up their own businesses when no bank would invest in them. It is a programme which works. Since we started it 12 years ago, we have helped start up 35,000 businesses.

And after three years of operation, over 60 per cent of them are still in business and often employing other young people too.

And we have The Prince's Trust Volunteer programme which mixes unemployed youngsters with some who are in work. Groups of them undertake challenging community projects and learn a range of personal and job-related skills.

The idea is to give them confidence, motivation and the skills needed to get a job or to undertake further education or training. These courses are no soft option. Young people find themselves abseiling, caving, rock-climbing and much more, as well as helping with important community projects too. And it can make a real difference to their lives.

I have a great belief that every young person has some talent or ability - often all they lack is the self-confidence and support to develop it. And that it what my Trust tries to give them.

We have other programmes too. Just last year we started up a mentoring scheme for youngsters who come out of care and often find themselves with little support and guidance. By the end of 2000 our aim is to be able to offer every care leaver a mentor if they want one - someone to advise, counsel or just to be a reliable friend. We have carried out some pilot schemes already and we know this service is desperately needed.

And we are closely involved in a new project to organise the Manpower National Skills Festival 2000. Apprenticeships where young people join a company to learn a skill seem not to be so popular today.

I think this is much to be regretted. So this Festival is designed to give young people learning new skills an opportunity to show just how good they are by competing in skills championships at national, regional and local level.

The skills covered will range from IT, mechanics and engineering, to media, design and gardening. The national championships will be held at Birmingham's NEC in July 2000. And from there a team will be chosen to represent the United Kingdom for the 2001 World Skill Competition in South Korea.

I am sure that local newspapers will continue to do what they do best - support their local community and their local success stories by following all those from their area who compete in the Skills Festival.

In the same way that they give such good coverage to our young entrepreneurs, our volunteers and, just as important, our army of mentors - the real secret behind The Trust's success.

I would very much like to give local newspapers recognition for what they do too. I am therefore announcing a new Award - The Prince's Trust Local Reporting Award.

It will be in association with the Newspaper Society and it will be presented annually to the local newspaper which gives the best coverage to the needs of young people who face disadvantage in their local community, and who make the greatest effort to meet those needs.

The first award will be made in 2000 and individual readers will be able to make their nominations.

I can only wish all local newspapers every success while you continue to celebrate what is good and true in your local communities.

Every area is full of unsung heroes. They preserve and represent so much of what is good about this country and it is local newspapers who can fulfil the vital role of reminding people of the importance of real values like truth, selflessness, kindness and generosity of spirit.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.