The Argus is not only making the news these days. It's also helping to make Government policy.

First we campaigned for people not to give money to beggars because that might help to feed a drugs habit.

Within a few days, the Government had launched a national campaign on the same lines, basing it initially on Brighton.

Now, Lord Bassam of Brighton has mentioned in a debate yesterday's Argus article on a Portslade man who had been badly affected by cannabis.

The peer said it reinforced the problems involved in legalising use of the drug and was told by Liberal Democrat peer Lord McNally that Government policy appeared to be made on the basis of what the Argus says.

It could do worse and we're flattered that we seem to be setting the agenda nationally as well as locally.