A SMALL, former mining community in the North-East could play host to the most powerful man in the world next month, if rumours growing yesterday are to be believed.

It is known that US President George W Bush is to visit Prime Minister Tony Blair for three nights in the middle of next month.

It is known that for two nights, Mr Bush will be staying as the Queen's guest in Buckingham Palace.

But his whereabouts on the third night are a closely-guarded secret, giving rise to speculation that Mr Bush and his wife Laura might be the guests of Mr Blair and his wife Cherie at Myrobella, their home in Trimdon, County Durham.

It might be Mr Blair's way of repaying Mr Bush for his stay at Camp David, the presidential retreat, in March.

It would not, of course, be the first time Mr Blair has shown off his Sedgefield constituency to a distinguished foreign visitor. In 2000, he popped out with the French leader Jacques Chirac to The County pub, in Aycliffe, for a pint and a meal.

It would not, even, be the first time a US president has visited the North-East: the last time was in May 1977 when Prime Minister James Callaghan brought President Jimmy Carter to visit American roots in Washington.

Last night, John Burton, Mr Blair's agent, said: "It would be wonderful if Mr Bush were to visit the region, but no arrangements have been made yet.

"Security would be so massive that details of his movements would be concealed.

"It is a fantastic part of the world and do that I'm sure Mr and Mrs Bush would love it.