Thumbs up for News' reasons to be cheerful

But for one day, people across the city enjoyed reading an entire paper filled only with positive stories.

From the cut in mortgage interest rates to the cystic fibrosis sufferer who has been given new lungs, yesterday's Evening News focused on the reasons to be cheerful, despite the economic gloom.

Stories about the friendly "invasion" of Welsh rugby fans and the doorman who almost threw Liz Taylor out of the Caledonian Hotel also raised a smile.

Business and community leaders have said the second good news edition was a welcome opportunity to celebrate the good things about living in Edinburgh.

Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "It's an excellent idea. At times like this, we particularly need the encouragement of recognising how many success stories there are around.

"Optimism gives us the will to succeed and this is a valuable contribution to the renewal of the city. We have to be able to face reality, but be creative and flexible in finding ways forward."

Maureen Nolan, who is starring in Blood Brothers at the Festival Theatre, said the paper provided a welcome break from the usual "doom and gloom".

She said: "I think it was really great. I found it very refreshing. It can be so depressing, as every time you pick up a paper or watch a news bulletin, there seems to be so much bad news.

"There's probably more good things going on, but you just don't hear about them that much."

Fraser Doherty, the 19-year-old SuperJam entrepreneur from Davidson's Mains, said: "Although the media spends much of its column inches teaching us about the bad things going on in the world, we really have a lot to be thankful for.

"It was great that the Evening News took the initiative to remind us of that."

Stand-up comedienne and radio host Susan Morrison said everyone should try to smile some more.

"I can see it's harder to find positive news – you can't expect to see planes crashing in the Hudson River and everyone surviving every day. But I think we should all do our best by remembering the positive things about everyday life."

And Lord Provost George Grubb said he would like to see more good news every day.

He said: "It was nice to see our local paper taking such a positive outlook for the day. There are so many great things going on in Edinburgh."

Your Say: Did you enjoy good news day?

Jennifer Hutton, 51, personnel manager, Dundas Street: "I loved it! I read the paper from start to finish. It was great the way there was a positive spin on every story."

Ewen MacPherson, 45, Iona Street: "Yes, I think it's about time we had more good news. There's too much misery around at the moment. I think you should do it more often."

Nazar Farid, 35, retailer, Cockburn Street: "I thought it was a great idea. A lot of people were talking about it and I think it cheered their day."