Prime Minister David Cam-eron has praised the Keigh-ley News for its community campaigns.

He said successful fundraising appeals for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice Manor-lands and Phoenix Special School in Keighley were “truly changing lives”.

Mr Cameron was speaking as Local Newspaper Week, which this year focused on ‘Making a Difference’, came to an end.

“This was a great opportunity to highlight the vital role newspapers play in our communities, and the Keighley News is one of those,” he said.

He added he realised times had been tough for newspapers, with the recession hitting sales and advertising hard and fewer staff being asked to produce more, but that they’d risen to the challenge.

“Local newspapers hold public authorities to account,” added Mr Cameron.

“They report on council meetings – and taxpayers know if their money is being spent wisely – they cover court cases so communities know when justice has been done, and they scrutinise local politicians so voters know if their MP is working in their interests.”

A Keighley News appeal to raise a massive £1 million for Manorlands hospice smashed through its target last month.

And we joined with Phoenix Special School to help raise £24,000 towards the cost of a specially-adapted minibus able to accommodate wheelchair-bound pupils.

Now the Keighley News has joined forces with Airedale Hospital to launch a £100,000 appeal to buy resources for the new £6.3 million Emer-gency Department to improve patients’ experiences.