Three years ago, Jordan Bunting couldn't say a word however hard he tried.

But since an operation in 1997 to stop him being tongue-tied he has recovered so well he is on speaking terms with the owner of Britain's best-known voice.

Jordan, six, enjoyed a two-minute chat with the Prime Minister on an official visit to Brighton in the summer.

And his parents say the brief conversation with Tony Blair has vastly improved his confidence.

So when he decided to look for a pen pal, who else could he ask but the man he calls "my friend Tony"?

To Jordan's amazement, he received a personally-written reply.

Jordan, of Stanmer Avenue, Saltdean, said: "Whenever he's on television now I say hello to Tony Blair because he's my friend."

Jordan was with dad Mark at Brighton station when Mr Blair, wife Cherie and baby son Leo arrived to meet Kemp Town MP Des Turner.

Mark said: "The Prime Minister bent down and had a little chat with Jordan. He couldn't talk about anything else for ages.

"Then, a few days later, he came out of his bedroom and said he had drawn pictures of Tony, Cherie, Leo and Des Turner."

Jordan got Mike to send his creations to Mr Turner, who in turn forwarded them to 10 Downing Street.

A letter arrived from Mr Blair, saying: "I remember meeting you at Brighton station and I very much enjoyed talking to you.

"The drawings were very good of me, Mrs Blair and baby Leo. Thank you."

The premier receives half a million personally-addressed letters a year.

Mark said: "It was really nice of him to take the time out to write to Jordan."

It improved Jordan's self-esteem so much so he read out his letter during a full assembly of St Margaret's School in Rottingdean.

Mr Turner, a friend of the Buntings, has kept the picture of himself on his constituency office wall.

He said: "Jordan's a lovely little boy. I'm very glad Tony Blair wrote back to him."