Euro MP Christine Oddy has been invited to join the Advisory Board for the Centre of International Reconciliation at Coventry Cathedral.

The invitation to the Coventry and North Warwickshire Euro MP comes from Canon Andrew White, who heads the cathedrals International Ministry. Ms Oddy, a practising Anglican, has been invited to become a member because of her European expertise and knowledge of Central America.

She has a long record of interest in the Third World and development issues in particular Central America and Sri Lanka. Earlier this year she visited Central America to look at progress on European Union funded programmes to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Mitch.

She will join figures such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the former Lord Chancellor, Lord McKay of Clashfern, and Terry Waite on the Advisory Board, all members of whom have been chosen for their expert subject knowledge.

Ms Oddy said:

"Coventry Cathedral has always had a truly international outlook and shown a deep concern f or the people of the Third World and I was delighted to have been invited to help in the excellent work which they are doing."