OUR campaign to honour the achievements of youngsters across the district has got off to a spectacular start.

Since the Review launched its KiDs campaign (Kids in the district of St Albans) aiming to give young people a voice, and celebrate the good that they bring to our district on Thursday, well-known MP Ann Widdecombe, who visited a Hertfordshire School last week to honour the achievements of its pupils, Labour parliamentary candidate Councillor Roma Mills, and her Lib Dem counterpart, Sandy Walkington, have pledged their support.

Mrs Widdecombe said: "The children may make up 20 per cent of our society, but they are 100 per cent our future.

"In my job, all you get are the things that go wrong and how dreadful the youth of today are - a newspaper campaign like this will be very reassuring."

Councillor Mills said: "It's easy to have bad news stories and caricature young people as a difficult and dangerous group in society, but in reality the vast majority are delightful and responsible young people doing their best and they need to be encouraged.

"A lot of young people volunteer in the community. We don't hear enough about that. We need to because otherwise we don't give credit where credit is due.

"This campaign will create a nicer feeling. A lot of residents, paricularly older residents, are nervous of young people. They never see the other side so I think if the newspaper can give profile to the positive and good things that young people do it will make people feel more confident about society."

Mr Walkington added: "It's a brilliant idea and it's so important to celebrate the successes of our young people. It's important that we understand the challenges they face, particularly at this time of economic recession, where unemployment is bearing particularly heavily on the 18 to 24 age group.

"Full marks to the Review for running this campaign."

To help the KiDs campaign, send suggestions via email catchlined kids to kids@london.newsquest.co.uk or send your text to 80360 starting with KIDS leave a space and then your answer, name and contact details.