FORMER Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has spoken to the Warrington Guardian on the 30th anniversary of the Warrington bombing.

Sir Tony was one of the longest serving Prime Ministers of recent times, being elected in 1997 and leaving in 2008, having led the Labour Party to three successive election victories.

The ex-Labour leader was also one of the biggest personalities involved in securing peace on the island of Ireland, which came following 1998's Good Friday Agreement.

Warrington Guardian: The bombing on Bridge Street claimed the lives of Tim Parry and Johnathan BallThe bombing on Bridge Street claimed the lives of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Sir Tony reflected on the 30th anniversary of the Warrington bombing, a terrorist act carried out by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) that claimed the lives of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball.

The former Prime Minister said: "The horror of that day reverberated across the UK and the island of Ireland.

"Out of personal tragedy came hope as Colin and Wendy Parry, on behalf of the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Peace Foundation, began their incredibly brave and admirable campaign for peace and reconciliation between communities here and on the island of Ireland."

IT was a day Warrington residents will never forget. 

Though Sir Tony was not Prime Minister at the time of the bombing, the horrific events of March 20, 1993, saw the wheels set into motion for bringing about peace in Ireland.

The events even sparked a docu-drama in the 25th anniversary year of the bombing, in the 2018 BBC Two drama Mother's Day, which starred Line of Duty regulars Vicky McClure and Anna Maxwell-Martin, as well as Daniel Mays.

Warrington Guardian: Colin and Wendy Parry lost their son, Tim, during the tragic events of 1993Colin and Wendy Parry lost their son, Tim, during the tragic events of 1993 (Image: Newsquest)

Speaking about the impact that the bombing had on the peace process in Ireland itself, Sir Tony told the Warrington Guardian: "It was one of the reasons why I made the Northern Ireland peace process an immediate priority of the new Labour government, building on the solid foundations laid by Sir John Major.

"To end the violence and terror, create stable communities so that people could live their lives without fear and prosper together.

"And so no other families would have to suffer such senseless loss and pain.”

Want the pick of the Warrington Guardian news delivered to your inbox every morning? Click here to sign up