BARACK OBAMA has become the 44th President of the United States of America.

IT IS arguable that today we have woken up in a brave new world. Not in the ironic Aldous Huxley sense, but literally.

The unimaginable has happened.

An African-American is in the White House and many people all over the world – not just the USA – are feeling good about the ascendency of President Barack Obama.

We took to the streets of Echo country to guage local opinion.

Margaret Russell from Mudeford was astonished her husband, Jerry, was so interested in the inauguration.

“He’s so excited about it. He’s going to watch it today when he comes home from work,” she told the Daily Echo yesterday.

She believes Mr Obama will be good for the economy of the whole of America. “We’ve been to Los Angeles recently and it was sad to see so many people unemployed, especially the Hispanics,” she said. “Obviously he’s making history: the first black president. He can’t do any worse than the last one.”

Eric Bredda thought Barack Obama will bring in new policies which will affect UK citizens.

His wife Dorothy Bredda said: “I’m very pleased to a see a black gentleman in there – very pleased.” Mr Bredda added: “We follow America in most things, especially war.”

Helen Bartlett of Christchurch, said: “It’s a good thing. It’s nothing to me personally, I don’t follow politics, but for America it’s good.”

Amanda Jane, 21, a travel agent from Iford, said: “I think it’s going to be good. There’s no reason why there shouldn’t be a black president. I hope it might help the racism that still exists to go away.”

Christian Daly, 33, a loan broker from Somerford in Christchurch, said: “I think he’s fantastic, I wish we had a leader as inspirational as him, because Gordon Brown is not inspirational.

“Barack Obama has got the country in the palm of his hand and hopefully he’ll come good and restore America’s image around the globe. I hope our relationship will still be strong. I’d rather be on their side than against them.”

Retired Bill Frape, 78, visiting Bournemouth, described the day as “great”. He said: “After these past eight years of stupid presidency, he is great.”

And journalism student Hanife Mehmet, 21, of Springbourne, said: “I think it’s really good. I’m a really big Obama supporter.

“It’s a historic day for everyone, not just for black people in America. It has brought change to America and everyone can take something good from it.”

Rachel Howe, 22, from Parkstone, who works at Barclays, said: “I think it’s a good thing – it’s a first – kind of like Margaret Thatcher. It’s going to be a rough ride but I think he’ll pull it off. I think it might have a positive impact on the UK.”

Okay, so not every one is caught up in the Obama-mania. Sarah Hobbs, 37, a mum of two from Parkstone said she wasn’t excited and felt the media coverage was “overkill”.

Barack Obama's first speech as President

She said: “Do we really need a whole week of it on GMTV? I don’t really know much about him apart from the fact he is the first black American president, which is pretty momentous I suppose.

“People think he’s going to change the world, but I don’t think it’s going to make a lot of difference.”

Retired David Isaacs, 74, from Wimborne said: “Time will tell. In other words I’m going to sit back and see what takes place before forming an opinion.”

He said only the inauguration of John F Kennedy had created a similar media storm.

“JKF had the same type of thing – the same type of reaction – and look what happened to him!”

The last word on the street was one of cautious optimism.

Mike Parker, 39, a catering manager visiting Poole from Weymouth said: “It’s got to be a positive thing if someone decent is coming in to improve things.

“America seems very positive about it and it should have an effect on us – we’ve just got to get rid of our problems now.”