By JULIA RAVENSCROFT

THE Warrington Project, which works to break down the traditional prejudice between Ireland and Great Britain, is set to receive a grant of £180,000.

The peace initiative, which was launched in October 1993 by the President of Ireland, Mary Robinson and the Prince of Wales, was set up in the aftermath of the Bridge Street bombing.

It works through education with young people from primary schools to sixth forms.

The injection of funds will be used to promote mutual understanding between the children of Britain and Ireland, and encourage teachers to draw on the Irish examples of the National Literacy Strategy.

It will also aim to make the project available to 60 primary schools in the Warrington area and form links between partner schools in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic.

Project co-ordinator John Donlan said: "I am delighted to have received confirmation of this grant.

"It is tremendous news and I would like to thank MP Helen Jones for the vitally important contribution she has made to the success of this application."

Project chairman Councillor Mary Greenslade said: "We have waited for some time for this news but it has been well worth the wait.

"We face a challenging three years but I am confident that the initiative will be very successful."

Janet Wright, the new chief executive of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People's Centre, said: "We are delighted that the Warrington Project has confirmed funding to allow them to continue their work for another three years.

"We too believe that education is the only way to help eliminate the prejudices and misunderstandings of the past between Great Britain and Ireland and we must all strive to make sure that future generations learn the facts about each other rather than rely on stereotypes."

Warrington North MP Helen Jones has actively supported the grant application.

She said: "It is clearly very good news and I will continue to give the project all the support I can in the future."