FOR too long, our town has been the butt of nationwide jokes.

From jibes about its bland appearance to that all-too-well-known comment about bombs being dropped from the air, it seems if anyone is after an easy laugh, this is the place to drag down.

Well this week, we say - no more!

If you start to repeat something long enough you become what you hear.

But we know better than this. There are so many organisations here in the Slough community who are trying their hardest to improve the fortunes that Slough has to offer.

And they deserve our utmost thanks for persevering in the face of constant criticism.

Slough is not without its justified criticisms. The borough council has been hit with scandal and money troubles in recent months.

But looking beyond the council chambers, we are fortunate here at The Observer to see many examples of the great and good happening every day in our community.

And we're not the only ones who think so.

Slough was named as one of the fastest-growing commuter towns in the UK as the trend of people leaving London has continued. It also has one of the youngest populations, making it a vibrant and youthful place to live.

And in terms of brains, Slough is now the world’s second largest Data Central Centre, according to The Times.

The Slough Trading Estate has 320 businesses with more than 10,000 people.

And we can't forget the town’s convenient transport links to London, Bath, Bristol and Birmingham which makes it an attractive place to base yourself if you have friends and family in other cities.

It also hosts a range of performing schools, attracting young families to the area.

Speaking of creative arts, Home Slough has got an exciting project coming up this year called Love Slough.

The programme, which creates opportunities for artists in the borough, is hosting the Love Slough festival for creatives to celebrate all that’s good about the town.

Clarissa Parker, from Slough BID, said: “The community support in Slough is second to none with HOME Slough working and engaging with local businesses, the arts and residents to build a pride in the town centre.

“Slough very much is a growing town surrounded by prosperous places and with the investment, amazing ideas and passion from the local community the town will continue to thrive.”

It also has its newly opened leisure centre, ice skating rink and the Empire cinema for residents to enjoy.

The Grand Union Canal and Jubilee River are just a short walk away from the town centre.

And The Curve, Slough’s iconic library and cultural centre, is located at the heart of the town.

It offers a library, café, gallery, Slough Museum, performance space, learning area, computer suites, exhibition space and the register office for weddings.

As you can see, there’s many things in Slough that are in the works and organisations are doing what they can to improve the area.

So, let’s see some positivity for our town and bring back a sense of pride.