FINDING a positive gem among a cloud of bad news is a tiring job, but it is something worth trying.

That is the message Bishop of Swindon the Rt Rev Dr Lee Rayfield took from his day at the helm of the Adver, and readers seem to agree with him.

Last Tuesday Bishop Lee guest-edited the paper from early morning until 9pm, and his long working day enabled him to learn a lot about the media.

He said: "I am very grateful for the opportunity I had to see the workings of the paper up close.

"It was a great chance to learn about the way journalism works and I feel it was an opportunity for me to share my views about approaching stories."

Bishop Lee's view is that there is always room for a positive message in any situation. Whether it be a serious crime or a family tragedy, there should be space to emphasise hope and optimism.

He said: "I saw just how difficult it is within the tracks of our society to resist the urge to do something quickly.

"It would be wonderful if following my time with the paper there was a little more space for reflection, that people could see the potential in a story.

"But I also saw how many good stories are being told all the time, and that gives the paper a certain trust among the community.

"It's true that that trust can be broken, but I loved the phrase I heard that the Adver should aim to be a neighbour. I would just make it explicit that I believe it should strive to be a good neighbour, which is an incredibly important role in our society."

As part of the guest editing, Adver readers were asked if they thought there should be more good news in their paper.

The results of a popular phone and internet poll showed that readers are overwhelmingly looking for good news.

Nearly 75 per cent of those who voted said they wanted positive stories, with just more than a quarter disagreeing.

The Bishop used his learning experience with the Advertiser to broadcast headlines at the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham at the weekend.

He spoke in front of hundreds of people at the faith event, explaining the importance of a headline.

He said: "I learned just how vital a headline is in shaping how people interpret an idea. With that in mind, it carries a great responsibility and I wanted to explain to the people there even in a few words it is possible to shape a sense of hope and humility.

"When I was consecrated as a Bishop I had to affirm that I would hold discipline with mercy and mercy with firmness.

"They are values that I think we need to support more, and I shall be doing that."