THE amazing fightback of a Bolton boy who nearly drowned in a river has touched the heart of Tony Blair. The Prime Minister has sent his best wishes to the family of little Lee Mitchell who miraculously fought back from the brink after he fell into the River Croal in January. Mr Blair took time out from his busy schedule to pen a letter to Lee's dad, Alan, passing on his best wishes.

After weeks of intensive care in hospital the four-year-old suddenly recovered, stunning doctors and his family alike.

Now he is back to full fitness and doesn't even need any physiotherapy.

And Alan, 26, says he couldn't believe his eyes when the letter was faxed through to the Bolton Lads' and Girls' Club where he works as a playworker.

The delighted dad, who lives in Pleasant Gardens, Bolton with his wife Joanne and three sons, said: "It was amazing to get this letter in a posh envelope with 10 Downing Street on it. We've shown it to Lee but he doesn't understand what it's all about. One day he will. We're amazed that Mr Blair has taken the time out to do this. It's a really nice gesture."

In the touching letter Mr Blair writes: "Dear Alan, I was very sorry to hear of the recent accident in which your son Lee was involved. As a father I know what a difficult time this must have been for you and your family and was very pleased to hear that Lee is making progress and would like to send my sincere good wishes for a full recovery. Yours sincerely, Tony Blair.

The idea to write to the Labour leader was Nick Hopkinson's, joint managing director of Mark Two Distributors on Bury Road, who sponsor the club.

And Alan, who also captains the Lads' and Girls' football team, told how he took to the field on Saturday for his first match at the club's playing fields, close to where the horrific accident happened.

He slotted home two goals against tough opposition, which he says he did for Lee: "Lee hasn't been back to the playing fields since the accident. Everyone was great and no one mentioned what had happened. I put the two goals in the net for Lee and celebrated in my usual way - with a cartwheel and a back somersault!"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.