DAVID DIMBLEBY, sporting his new scorpion tattoo, has made a valuable contribution to the debate about the impact the BBC has on the survival of local newspapers.

At 75 and laden with gravitas, Mr Dimbleby is secure enough to be able to rock the BBC boat in a way that other broadcasters wouldn’t dare.

And he’s right to question whether the Beeb has become too big and should scale down its online activity to help protect the future of local newspapers.

It is my sincere belief that local newspapers, which have been entrenched in communities for generations, are fundamental to democracy. It is vital that as many as possible survive the severe economic challenges that they are facing.

So the growth of a free local news service on BBC websites, subsidised by the compulsory licence fee, is unfair competition. Room needs to be left in the marketplace for trusted local papers, operating as businesses, and employing local people.

The BBC has its faults, as we all do, but it remains an institution to be proud of. Here at The Northern Echo, we have a positive relationship with BBC radio stations broadcasting in the North-East.

The truth is that the BBC doesn’t cover local news in the depth that local newspapers do. The corporation doesn’t have the resources at the grass roots, but it’s right to establish some parameters on how far the tentacles of the BBC monster should be allowed to stretch.

There are definite opportunities for the BBC and local papers to work together and David Dimbleby’s stimulation of the debate is to be welcomed.

MARKING the 100th anniversary of the First World War will be a key priority for The Northern Echo over the next year.

Chris Lloyd’s excellent Echo Memories pull-out each Saturday will focus on the North-East’s role in the Great War and we have dedicated a section of our website to the story of the conflict from the region’s perspective.

Our aim is to build it into a unique archive of the “North-East At War”, with contributions from our readers.

The foundations of the site can be viewed by clicking on the icon on the home page of northernecho.co.uk EDITORS accept that readers are far more inclined to send letters of complaint than praise.

But last week, possibly the nicest letter I’ve received in my time as an editor landed on my desk. It started with the paragraph: “I am a pensioner now and I have read The Northern Echo since I was 15. I wonder has there ever been a better newspaper? I doubt it.”

And it ended with the words: “Good luck Mr Editor and keep on churning out such a lovely morning newspaper.”

It makes it all worthwhile so, on behalf of all the staff here, a sincere thank you to Jimmy Taylor, of Coxhoe, for his kindness.

SPORTS reporters understandably get into the habit of writing about multimillion pound deals but our report last week about Middlesbrough’s ticket prices went a bit over the top.

We said Boro had “slashed ticket prices to £12 for adults and £7m for concessions”.

I apologise if any pensioners were hurt falling off chairs.