CONCERNS have been raised over who will pay for the former Prime Minister's armed protection unit from March next year.

Throughout his Premiership, Tony Blair's house, Myrobella, in Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, was guarded full-time by armed officers.

As a former Prime Minister and because of his work as a Middle East peace envoy, he is still entitled to police protection.

Each year, Durham Police have been reimbursed for the cost of the 25-strong team from Home Office funds.

The force confirmed that the Home Office will continue to pay for the protection unit until the end of the financial year.

However, it is still unclear who will pay for the officers after March.

Councillor Brian Jones, a former police officer who sits on Darlington Borough Council, said that while he believes Tony Blair still merits protection, it should not be paid for by local taxpayers.

He said: "My one concern is that this burden, which will be hundreds of thousands of pounds, should not fall on the taxpayers of County Durham and Darlington. It is normal good practice for ex-senior ministers to continue to have close personal protection for many years after they leave office, in some cases for the rest of their lives, and I believe that to be right and proper.

"However, I have to question the need to retain a squad of 25 or so experienced officers to protect a house that may or may not be occupied from time to time by Mr Blair or members of his family."

A Durham Police spokesman said: "The situation is under constant review.

"It is too early to say what will happen at the end of the financial year, as it's a constantly changing situation.