THERE were many hundreds of reasons to celebrate these past 48 hours.

The babies who made their arrival in our local hospitals, to the delight of so many families.

The willing, enthusiastic volunteers who gave up their Christmas Day to ensure that the needy, the elderly and the lonely could forget their woes for at least a few hours.

The Yorkshire soldiers on the Afghan frontline, lining up with party hats to enjoy a brief taste of home courtesy of a turkey and trimmings Christmas dinner.

And the hundreds of laughing fun runners who turned out on a Boxing Day morning in Stainland to raise many thousands of pounds for deserving charities.

Each a little different but each linked by a festive feelgood factor that for a while at least can make us forget the bad news that we know is just around the corner or is still a very recent memory.