AS a newspaper which has been at the centre of the debate over pictures of Leo Blair, we welcome the announcement that the Press Complaints Commission is to publish new guidelines about publishing photographs of the children of famous people.

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo found itself at the centre of national controversy after publishing a photograph of Leo, taken by a school party at a public event. Downing Street later issued a statement saying it understood why the picture had been published.

That episode was followed by the unseemly row which followed publication in national newspapers of pictures showing Leo before his christening in the Prime Minister's North-East constituency.

We said then that there was a need for clearer guidelines. That is hopefully what we are about to get and we will, of course, abide by them.

It is our unambiguous view that the privacy of the Blair children should be respected - as it has been by the vast majority of newspapers in this country.

We trust, however, that the guidelines will steer a path through the maze of paranoia displayed by Downing Street since Leo's birth.

Guidelines which would prevent newspapers publishing historic photographs of the Prime Minister's baby, taken while he was being proudly shown to crowds of well-wishers lining the streets, would be a step too far.

We await the Press Complaints Commission's advice with great interest.