BRENDA BLETHYN - BLETHYN DEFENDS AUSTRALIANS

English actress BRENDA BLETHYN has lashed out at the critics of Australians, claiming the nation is "warm and welcoming". The PRIDE AND PREJUDICE star is bemused by stereotypes of Australian people after falling in love with the country during a recent visit Down Under. She says, "Many people seem to think that Australians are uncouth, but that couldn't be further from the truth. "They are a warm and welcoming nation, the weather is great, the food is wonderful, the cities are fantastic - especially Sydney. "The countryside is beautiful too, and I particularly liked the Blue Mountains."