MY WORKING life started on this newspaper – The Press. I joined straight from school after writing to the editor for a job and somehow I bluffed my way in. I owe it so much: it made me.

Driving past the Yorkshire Post building in Leeds this week, I was quite saddened; it’s been reduced to a pile of rubble. I find it unbelievable that so many provincial and national newspapers are hanging in the balance.

Even The Press no longer hears the sound of printing presses in Walmgate. The internet has much to answer for, as well as the BBC website.

I’m asking the people of York and Yorkshire to reflect and consider subscribing to our regional papers – with real money – and not reading for free on computers and tablets. The press are not always perfect, but it is still a great profession, and there is so much good decent journalism which we must hold on to.

Imagine York without The Press, keeping an eye and reflecting on all that’s going on.

Our local politicians would probably cheer, so they can run things exactly as they like without scrutiny – but democracy would be severely damaged.

Quality journalism needs to be paid for.

Keith Massey Bishopthorpe, York.