A FOUR-YEAR-OLD angel stole the Prime Minister's limelight as he visited the region to open a college.

Toddlers Kate Walker and Caitlin Walmsley, both aged four, were part of a nursery choir that was singing Christmas songs for Tony Blair as he opened Darlington College.

The girls gave him some biscuits and mince pies.

As he thanked them, Kate, who was dressed as an angel, pointed at Mr Blair and asked: "Is that Tony?" Kate's question got a bigger laugh than any of the speakers during the official opening of the £35m college.

The girls later told a reporter that they thought Mr Blair was "Superman".

Earlier, the Prime Minister was given a tour of the college, meeting construction, catering and journalism students.

Another highlight of his visit was a question-and- answer session with trainee journalists Alison Goulding and Danielle Beeton, in the college's TV studio.

But when Danielle asked him if he would be inviting his neighbours (Chancellor Gordon Brown and his family) over for Christmas, Mr Blair smiled and said he would be spending the festive period in his Sedgefield constituency.

Mr Blair told an audience of students, staff and dignitaries from Darlington: "I have visited facilities like this now in several different parts of the country, and I have to say this is special and spectacular.

"What you represent is the future of this country in a very, very clear way.

"If what you do here works, Britain will work, will become more prosperous."

Mr Blair unveiled a plaque before taking his plate of biscuits and a Darlington College Christmas pudding back to Downing Street.