PEACE campaigners have received words of encouragement all the way from the Houses of Parliament.

Prime Minister Tony Blair has written to Colin Parry, who lost his son Tim after the Bridge Street bombing, to advise him about future ways of funding the work of the town's peace centre, but he also took time to praise the work of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust.

And Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Peter Mandelson wrote out of admiration for Colin's attitude to the prisoner releases.

Said Mr Blair: "May I take this opportunity to express my appreciation and admiration for the tremendous contribution by the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust to the process of building reconciliation between communities in Great Britain and the North and South of Ireland."

He added: "The Government is committed to supporting victims and survivors."

The centre, officially The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People's Centre, will be fully opened to the public in the autumn and new ideas for paying for its peace and reconciliation work are being explored.

The Trust had approached Mr Blair through Mike Hall, MP for Weaver Vale, who was MP in Warrington at the time of the bombing.

And the second letter of encouragement from the Government was also full of praise.

Peter Mandelson wrote spontaneously to Colin after hearing an interview on Radio Ulster at the time of the last wave of controversial terrorist prisoner releases.

"I wanted to let you know I appreciate your approach to the prisoner release issue," said Mr Mandelson.

"This must be a very difficult issue for you and I admire your courage in speaking out as you did."

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