THREE primary schools have received cash awards in memory of one of the boys who died in the Bridge Street bombing.

The Johnathan Ball awards are given annually to schools which are actively forging relations with Ireland.

Barrowhall County Primary School, Great Sankey, has received £500 and Woolston Primary School and Great Sankey Primary School have been awarded £250. The winners are chosen by members of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust.

Trust secretary Denis Cooper said: "The criteria for the awards is fairly informal.

"The schools must be organising a project to link them with Ireland and to generate understanding."

Head teacher of Barrowhall Primary School Geoffrey Bowles said: "We were delighted to win the award.

"We have twinned with three schools in Ireland, two in Northern Ireland and one in Dublin. We are setting up pen pal and e-mail links and working towards an exchange scheme.

"We plan to spend part of the money on Irish literature so the children can learn more about Irish culture."

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