FROM his early days as the fresh-faced, ambitious MP for Sedgefield, to the leader of this country, we have known Tony Blair for a long time.

From desperate-to-please political puppy to pedigree premier, we have found him to be a genuine and decent family man.

That is not to say we, as his local newspaper, have not had our differences: we have felt the need to spell out the dangers of spin because he was blind to them for far too long. We have done our best to reflect the dissatisfaction in his own back yard about the rate of progress in the promised improvement to public services. And we have vented our frustration at the way this region - for all it has been the home of the Prime Minister and several Cabinet colleagues - has been denied a fair deal through outdated Government funding formulas.

But, as Mr Blair celebrates his 50th birthday today, it would be churlish not to underline his considerable achievements: making Labour electable again for starters; cruising to two landslide election victories; driving forward the peace process in Northern Ireland; releasing long-awaited investment into education and the health service; growing in stature as an international statesman and a calming influence on George Bush.

There is, of course, much left for Mr Blair and his administration to do. The deadlock in Northern Ireland must be broken. Teachers' concerns about red tape and league tables must be resolved, as must the turmoil over flagship reforms to a National Health Service still struggling to cope. The justification for the war against Iraq will not be complete without evidence of weapons of mass destruction, and we still have serious concerns about America's intentions in the Middle East.

We wish Mr Blair a happy 50th birthday. Half a century is an important milestone in anyone's life and he deserves a peaceful and enjoyable day of celebration.

For as he enters his sixth decade, it is highly likely that his most challenging days are ahead of him.