ANTI-BIGOTRY group Nil by Mouth has been honoured by Gordon Brown at a Downing Street reception.

The Glasgow-based charity, set up in 1999 following the sectarian murder of 16-year-old Mark Scott, was named a leading campaign organisation for its work trying to stamp out sectarianism.

Judges of the Sheila McKechnie Awards, which honour groups fighting for social justice, singled out Nil by Mouth for its work in "resolving conflict".

The Chancellor, right, who is patron of the awards, met campaign director Richard Benjamin at a special event for the finalists in London.

The awards were set up in memory of Dame Sheila McKechnie, a director of the Consumers Association, who died of cancer aged 55.

Judges, including Terry Waite and broadcaster Jon Snow, met the finalists at 11 Downing Street.

A delighted Mr Benjamin said: "We believe this election year represents the most crucial time in the campaign's history to challenge sectarianism in Scotland."

A spokesman for the awards said: "Nil by Mouth has generated significant positive change in Scotland, leading to a change in legislation on religious-aggravated crime, the rolling out of education programmes in schools and the development of initiatives to tackle bigoted behaviour in football."

Nil by Mouth lost out to Action on South Africa, the successor organisation to the Anti-Apartheid Movement for the top title.

Mr Brown said: "Action for a principled cause can not only change minds but also change lives."

Nil By Mouth works alongside Scotland's two main churches, as well as Glasgow City Council and Rangers and Celtic on educational campaigns.