PUPILS at a school that was almost destroyed by arsonists had a special visitor last week.

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who was in the region to visit his Sedgefield constituency, called in to see how the youngsters at Middleton St George primary school had coped since the fire in March.

On Friday they showed Mr Blair around the temporary classrooms and hall they are using, separated from the fire damaged parts of the school.

New head teacher Janine Gleeson said: "The staff and the children did not know Mr Blair was coming until just before he arrived.

"They were so excited that the most famous man in the country was coming to see them and some of the younger ones couldn't believe the man they had seen on the television was at their school.

"He was very charismatic and lovely. He made a point of talking to everyone. It was nice that he wanted to come and meet us and see for himself how we have coped since the fire."

Infant and junior pupils entertained Mr Blair with a rendition of He's Got The Whole World In His Hands before taking part in a question and answer session with the Prime Minister. They quizzed him on subjects as diverse as the war in Iraq and his choice of car.

During a tour of his constituency Mr Blair received belated 50th birthday greetings from its residents.

Mr Blair, whose birthday was on Tuesday, joked about his age as he was given a hand-made birthday card with 50 on the front, by three-year-old Jon Bradley in Trimdon Village.

He told Jon, of Trimdon Grange: "There is only one thing wrong with it - it should have three on the front, not the five."

Mr Blair was visiting the village to open Social Care Direct, a new sicla services call centre introduced by Durham County Council.

Mr Blair said: "These requirements were brought together in commissioning this superb facility that serves over half a million residents throughout the county."

Earlier, Mr Blair visited Ferryhill, where he met youngsters and played pool at the official opening of the town's youth cafe.

He also spoke to others who were designing a local website, but he had trouble seeing the screen and put on his glasses, saying: "Sign of age, I get my specs out."

Youngsters themselves worked with Ferryhill Town Council in creating the caf, which now includes a pool room, IT suite and outside recreation area.

Mr Blair also unveiled a fountain outside Ferryhill Town Hall. The fountain, paid for with money from the lottery Awards for All scheme, was designed by 15-year-old schoolboy Stephen Lamband made by Darlington stonemason David France