THE community of Warrington joined together on Thursday to mark the 10th anniversary of the IRA terrorist bomb attack in Bridge Street.

Town officials and high-profile figures, including former hostage Terry Waite, attended a service at Holy Trinity Church along with the parents of Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball - the two boys who were killed in the atrocity.

A touching minute's silence was observed at Market Gate before the procession moved down Bridge Street, where wreaths were laid under the memorial plaque.

Peace campaigner Colin Parry, Tim's father, told the Guardian Midweek: "For Wendy and I, it's a day of remembering Tim. Everything else is peripheral. He's our son. He should be here and not lying in the ground.

"I'm pleased the town has marked the occasion. It was very dignified and I would like to thank everyone for their efforts. I'm very proud and want to continue to support what we are doing in Warrington.

"We have great ambitions for the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust and I would appeal to the people of Warrington to get behind us."

Speaking inside Holy Trinity Church, Terry Waite spoke of Warrington's strength since the tragic event and also made reference to the conflict in Iraq.

He said: "I feel both privileged and great responsibility to be invited to address you today. Here in Warrington, we remember the dead, Tim and Johnathan, major victim Bronwen Vickers, and those who suffered trauma from the Warrington bomb."

He added that from the town's painful suffering had come "a remarkable peace initiative".

l Young Tim Parry died five days after the bomb blast on Bridge Street, passing away exactly 10 years ago today. His parents, Colin and Wendy, have arranged a private memorial service tonight, Tuesday, at St Mary's Church, Great Sankey, where Tim's funeral took place.

l For more pictures and reaction, see Thursday's Guardian.