FOR a decade, a team of specialist firearms police officers have protected the lives of world leaders passing through the North-East.

Now they are on their final operation as a team - winding down the security regime that guarded former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his high-profile visitors.

Once withdrawn from Myrobella, in Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, the constituency home of Mr Blair when he was MP for Sedgefield, Durham Police's armed protection team (APT) will be back on the streets.

Though the two sergeants and 23 constables don't yet know where they will be redeployed, they take with them impressive CVs and plenty of stories.

Sergeant Phil Hopps, a member of the APT from the outset, said: "We've provided protection for lots of people, the first was French president Lionel Jospin, then Jacques Chirac dined in Aycliffe village, Bertie Ahern came over from Ireland and, of course, there was the Bush visit in 2003.

"We're proud to have been involved, but I admit it was always nice when they left.

"After many long hours, when we saw the American President's helicopter, Marine One, up in the air, it was certainly time for a cup of tea."

The links with Mr Blair opened doors to exciting opportunities for officers who worked alongside the Secret Services and Metropolitan Police, at Downing Street and Chequers and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

They also had to get used to seeing themselves in the news.

Sgt Hopps said: "People were always pointing us out in the background of a newspaper or television report. I've even been seen places where I wasn't, friends were convinced they saw me guarding him in Australia when I was back home."

High-profile policing in Trimdon was not just something the force and community had to adjust to, it was also a shock for Mr Blair.

"Police protection almost 24-hours-a-day was overwhelming for Mr Blair at first, but he appreciated us and after ten years got to know the personnel," said Sgt Hopps.

The force's deputy head of operation support, Chief Inspector Tim Wilson, paid tribute to the team's dedication and professionalism and thanked the public for their support.

The costs for protecting Mr Blair were met by Durham Police for the first 11 months of his premiership, after which the Home Office footed the bill.

Mr Blair will keep Myrobella as a base for a regional sports foundation.