A STROLL through this week's Evening News pages should have been enough to convince any doubter that, though life has its problems just now, it's not all bad.

On Tuesday, for instance, we wondered why Worcester garage owner David Collins - and man with a self-confessed fear of heights - is planning to throw himself out of a plane or strap himself to a bungee rope.

The answer was simple. He wants to give something back to the people who helped him to overcome throat cancer, "to show my gratitude".

At the same time, we anticipated tomorrow's London Marathon and the hundreds of county athletes who have climbed their own mountains in training to run for fun and funds in the event, inspired by the sight of others who've done the same, or driven by the stark need of a good cause or a personal challenge. Once again, we wish them all good luck.

Today - four days after city councillors Mike Layland, Mike Francis and Stan Knowles said they were ready to roll up their sleeves and clean a filthy Nunnery Wood footpath - we detail the 'Just Bin It' initiative which begs volunteers across the city to muck in and make Worcester brighter.

Last year's National Spring Clean event showed how easy it is to sweep debris from our streets.

So, go on, join in this week. Then look at the results, and realise again how pleasant our city can be.

Finally, there are the good folk of Waverley Street.

Before the floods ravaged their homes and lives last year, they admit, residents hardly knew each other.

Now their lives are intertwined and, to prove it, today they're having a delayed Christmas, with all the trimmings.

"Good things have come of it," spokesman Mary Dhonau says of the disaster which blighted them in November and December.

Community spirit. Where would we be without it?