Rob Brown, a journalism lecturer at the University of Gloucestershire, said this was "atypical" of the national picture in which local newspapers were struggling due to loss of advertising revenue.

BBC: Gloucester and Forest of Dean newspaper 'turf war erupts'

Professor Patricia Broadfoot, a former Professor of Education and now vice-chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, argued persuasively that the evidence from international studies showed that "the highest quality teaching and learning comes when we have the greatest autonomy for the teacher and the learner".

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | What makes a good teacher?

The Malawian team is based at the nearby University of Gloucestershire in the run-up to London 2012.

BBC: Athletes training at Imjin Barracks, Gloucester