Please note, this is an archived story. Please check the date above.

Alex Allan MP

Mr Allan, the government's e-envoy minister, was impressed by the community web site and the addition of wireless application protocol (WAP) access.

He heard of the site after a visit to Manchester to meet those involved in internet communication and online businesses and was surprised to find northmanchester.net employing such advanced technology.

Mr Allan was also particularly pleased to see the online advice bureaux giving people access to councillors from across the Blackley constituency and the area's MP Graham Stringer.

He revealed he had worked closely with Mr Stringer during Manchester's bid for the 2000 Olympic Games and would be working with him again in the Cabinet office where Mr Stringer has been made a junior minister.

Mr Allan said: "I was most impressed by what you are doing. Providing an online advice bureau really expands the way that people can contact councillors and MPs and raise issues that concern them - as well as giving politicians additional feedback on the issues.

"I was also struck by your beta-testing of a WAP service for your pages - I am sure that will become increasingly significant."

John Risby, from northmanchester.net, was delighted to receive such a glowing commendation and has invited Mr Allan to take part in a discussion on the government's IT policy on the site at a future date.

John said: "As WAP technology becomes more advanced people will be able to keep up to date with what's going on in our community while on the move.

"It's very encouraging to receive comments like this from a government minister who sees the benefits of Internet technologies in enhancing the life of local communities."