In a short statement outside 10 Downing Street, leading Orangeman John McCrea said there was an "orchestrated campaign of demonisation" against the order.

Mr McCrea said discussions with Mr Blair had covered the parades situation and a propaganda "campaign" against the movement.

"A delegation from the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland, which included representatives of the County Down Lodge of Armagh and Portadown District Number One, today met the prime minister to present our views on the parades issue and the wider situation pertaining to our culture and heritage.

"Included in the topics for discussion were our opposition to the Parades Commission and the apparently orchestrated campaign of demonisation of the Orange institution.

Orangemen continue to demand the right to march down the Garvaghy Road

"The delegation will report back to the Grandmaster and the grandmasters of the county on the full details of the meeting."

A spokesman for Mr Blair said the meeting had been "positive and constructive".

"The prime minister listened carefully to the points raised by the Order and promised to keep in touch."

Monday's 90-minute meeting took place at the request of the Orangemen, following a secret meeting they had with Catholic and Protestant church leaders last week.

Behind-the-scenes efforts have been taking place for months in an attempt to resolve the continuing protest at Drumcree.

The fourth-month stand-off began in July when the Parades Commission refused Orangemen permission to march down the nationalist Garvaghy Road.

The enforcement of the ruling by the Parades Commission led to violent clashes between thousands of protesters and police.

The worst moment came when demonstrators attacked nearby properties, throwing firebombs into houses in the area.

A token demonstration has continued at the Portadown church since July

In the worst incident, three brothers - Richard Quinn, 11, Mark, nine, and Jason, eight - died in a sectarian arson attack on their home.

Hundreds protested in the town again in October to demand their right to march, despite objections from the Quinn family.

The numbers of Orangemen in Portadown has reduced considerably in the months since, but a small presence has continued at the hill-top Drumcree Parish Church.