PEACE campaigner Colin Parry praised the “fantastic” peace garden at Woodheys Primary School - which will be partially dedicated to a former pupil who died of cancer.

Colin visited Trafford on Tuesday to tour the horticultural gem, which was also designed to provide children at the Sale school with a place to reflect.

He met Dave Hulme, the dad of Alex Hulme, who died of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2011, and Alex’’s brother Matthew, who still attends Woodheys.

Colin, whose son Tim was murdered by an IRA bomb in Warrington 20 years ago, said it’s important to teach youngsters about the importance of peace from an early age.

He said: “I’ve got my own charity which is focused entirely on the importance of peace and human beings getting on together, regardless of their faith, their race and anything else. I think it’s very important that peace is a major theme.”

Colin, 66, decided to visit the school after hearing about Woodhey’s work promoting peace and the visit by the former hostage, Terry Waite.

He said he hasn’t forgiven the IRA for Tim’s murder but he added: “I never will but that doesn’t mean I’m full of vengance and anger.”

This was reinforced when Colin had what he described as a “difficult” first meeting with former IRA commander turned politician Martin McGuiness.

He said: “I was nervous and I was uncertain how I would feel about meeting him face to face but I have to say and I have to give him credit the meeting was cordial, worthwhile and I’ve invited him to give our annual peace lecture this year, which will be a very unique occasion.”