By Pam McClounie

Last updated at 14:07, Monday, 01 October 2012

A boy was delighted when the postman delivered a letter from No.10 Downing Street.

Joseph Mulholland with the PM's letter

Joseph Mulholland, nine, wrote to Prime Minister David Cameron after reading the children’s page in The Guardian.

Joseph’s mum, Jana, said: “Joseph read an article telling kids if they felt strongly about something then to write a letter to the Prime Minister.

“Joseph started writing a letter on the computer. When I asked what he was doing he said he was writing to the Prime Minister – I thought he was joking.”

But a short time later Joseph had printed the letter out, put it in an envelope, written the address of No.10 Downing Street on it and asked his granny for a stamp.

Jana, 35, said: “He then said he was going to post the letter in the letterbox at the end of the street.

“I asked him if he had really written to the Prime Minister and he showed me a copy of his letter.”

Joseph, of East Norfolk Street, Denton Holme, asked Mr Cameron if cigarettes could be banned or at least made less harmful.

Last week, Joseph received a letter back from No.10 Downing Street.

Jana, who runs yoga and relaxation classes for children, said: “Joseph was at school when the post arrived and I couldn’t wait for him to get home to open the letter. It was from the correspondence officer, writing on behalf of the Prime Minister.

“It said that Mr Cameron very much appreciates the time and trouble Joseph had taken to get in touch about smoking. And as the Department of Health is best placed to respond to these matters, they were forwarding Joseph’s letter to them.

“I thought it was really good they have actually taken Joseph’s letter seriously and replied to a nine-year-old child.”

Joseph, who was skipping around when he got the letter, said: “I was so excited. I am happy.”

First published at 11:25, Monday, 01 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk