GOOD manners and politeness are being championed by a leading Wycombe councillor as part of the national Campaign for Courtesy.

The national group, which aims to raise awareness about the need for greater consideration and kindness, has been running a Manners Matter scheme all this week with the backing of Cllr David Cox, a former chairman of Wycombe District Council.

Cllr Cox has distributed tiny yellow stickers bearing the message Manners Matter to the Rotary Club of High Wycombe and has sent letters to all the members of Wycombe District Council to alert them to the campaign.

He said: "The Campaign for Courtesy was started by a reverend who decided that we are suffering from a lack of decency and that we could improve society considerably if people were much nicer to each other.

"I think this year's campaign is especially good. I have handed out lots of these stickers and asked people to wear them. Hopefully people will then notice and start a conversation about good manners."

As chairman of Wycombe District Council in 2000, Cllr Cox also launched a Smile campaign urging people to be nicer to each other.

Local people nominated individuals and businesses who had been particularly helpful or courteous to be presented with a Smile window sticker which declares "'this is an area of courtesy".

Pupils at Loudwater Combined School in School Way have joined in with the campaign.

Headteacher Anne McGinty said they were a well-mannered group.

She added: "Whenever we have visitors to the school everyone always comments on how polite and friendly the children are."

Cllr Cox is a former school headmaster himself and said he would always tell his pupils the importance of good manners and courtesy.

He said: "I would always tell them that if you give someone a smile you are much more likely to get a smile back."