by Graham Tutthill gtutthill@thekmgroup.co.uk

Dover's White Cliffs should be seen as a symbol that reflects a new-found positive patriotism.

That's the conclusion of a new pamphlet by philosopher Julian Baggini which has been published today.

"I want people to see the Dover chalk and thank of liberty, hospitality and freedom," he said.

But he worries thatb they can also be seen as "a citadel wall" which he claims would be "an immense loss to our national reputation".

As part of its ongoing fund-raising appeal to buy an iconic stretch of the White Cliffs of Dover, the National Trust commissioned Mr Baggini to spend a week based at the cliffs in August to examine their role in shaping our national identity.

"The cliffs are among the symbols which are formative of Britain's national identity," he said.

"If they stand for us, then what we see in them we will also see in ourselves. And so we should make sure that we are happy with what we see in the chalk."

Mr Baggini spent time talking to local people, delving into the history of the cliffs and thinking about the role they have played in shaping our image of ourselves and how they have influenced the world's view of Britain.

"The power of the cliffs to stand as a unifying symbol is already there. It just needs to be harnessed," he said.

Full story in the Dover Mercury, Thursday October 18.