Just dropping in to meet the folks

Clusters of residents stopped their day-to-day activities and milled around on the village's main street to watch George Bush's arrival, hardly believing that the US President was only moments away.

After a long wait in the cold, the sight of two Black Stallion Navy helicopters emerging from the skies at 11.55am brought about much excitement.

The aircraft landed on the green opposite Tony Blair's Myrobella home, flanked by police officers and US security agents on the ground.

George and Laura Bush followed, touching down just before midday in the presidential helicopter, Marine One, to be greeted by Tony and Cherie Blair.

The Prime Minister escorted President Bush across the green. Mr Blair gestured around him and asked: "It's all right, isn't it?" receiving a smile and nod from Mr Bush in reply.

There was an impromptu meeting with some of Mr Blair's neighbours, who appeared at their fence as the helicopter landed.

Mr and Mrs Blair guided Mr and Mrs Bush over to Eddie and Petra Grieves and their teenage children, Edward and Gemma.

Mr Grieves, the village butcher in Trimdon Colliery, chatted to Mr Bush before he and his family had pictures taken with the President and First Lady.

Gemma told Mrs Blair later: "My legs were shaking, which was blatantly obvious, so Mr Bush put his arms around me and tightened his squeeze to warm me up."

Neighbours Gary and Angela Forshaw also had a quick word with the Presidential party.

The Prime Minister waved to the couple, who had taken a day off from the lighting factory in Spennymoor where they both work.

When they waved back, Mr Bush called out: "Thank you for your hospitality." He then posed for photos.

Mr Forshaw said: "It is good for him to come up here and not just see the highlights of London, but to be shown the real world where Tony lives."

Mr Forshaw, who acknowledged that his terrace house must be one of the safest in Britain with a 24-hour police presence next door, said he had a grandstand view of the presidential arrival.

He said: "It was brilliant to see the helicopters coming in on the green."

After the brief chat over the garden fence, the Presidential party headed into Myrobella for a cup of tea with the Blairs.

"It is the most excitement there has ever been in Trimdon," said one resident.

They were pleased that Mr Bush had been invited to their home village.

John Naylor, 41, of Trimdon, said: "The most powerful man in the world is here. Who would have thought it? It's like a fairytale."

A friend, Stephen Gillan, 42, said villagers were used to seeing the Prime Minister in Trimdon but a visit by George Bush was a different matter.

"We often see Tony Blair around and about, but it's not often you get a visit from the US President is it? It's a great thing for Trimdon."

The local shop had a welcoming party of its own. Three chairs were set out on the main street, marked for Tony, George and resident Ronnie Henderson.

"It's a local joke,", said Mr Gillan. "Ronnie always sits outside in the street and they thought it would be funny to set up a couple of extra chairs next to his, especially for the visit."

Protestors were few and far between in Trimdon, many preferring to head to nearby Sedgefield.

One demonstrator who did turn up held a poster reading: "Gan yem Dubya" - a Geordie invitation for the President to go home.

But local residents shouted at the lone protestor in the village, saying Mr Bush was most welcome.

Coach driver Michael Evans, 46, who lives half a mile from Mr Blair, said: "Mr Blair lives here, we wanted him as our MP, and if he wants to invite Mr Bush, then it is a great honour for the people of Trimdon."

Although most of the residents of Trimdon Colliery did not have a bird's eye view of the President, it seems they were happy enough that he was just there.

"It has never happened before and it is just a great honour to have him," said Mr Evans.