In the early days he worked behind the scenes - but then switched to the other side of the cameras and began presenting the news.

He is now one of the programme's anchors and as a reporter has covered most of the major news stories in the West Country for almost two decades.

"The great thing about this job is that you meet people and gain access to places that you would never otherwise see.

David presenting Children in Need

"Every day is different and I never know what's going to happen to me when I walk into the newsroom each morning. How lucky is that?"

David was born in Bristol and remembers watching Points West as a boy - never dreaming that one day he might be on the screen.

His first job was as a newspaper reporter in Kent - after that he tried his hand at radio, and that led to television.

He lives in Bristol with his wife - a television director - and their two teenage children.

"They are a great antidote to the pressures of being on the box."

David says he loves presenting the news and is thrilled when viewers say they think of him as a friend.

But he's at his happiest when he is with the family.

"Particularly when we go away in the summer - the sun's out, everybody's relaxed, the kids are in the pool and I have got a few books. Bliss."