PRIME Minister Tony Blair told yesterday of his failings as a science student while opening a £20m physics centre in the North-East which is exploring the mysteries of the universe.

He said he was a poor physics student at school, because he found the subject "intimidating".

But the Prime Minister stressed the importance of science to the country's economy, at the opening of Durham University's Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics.

The building, part-funded by a private donation from millionaire Internet entrepreneur, Dr Peter Ogden, is home to the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology and the Institute for Computational Cosmology.

At the opening, Mr Blair said: "I can honestly think of no one less qualified than myself to talk about physics."

The new facility is also the base for the Public Understanding of Science and Technology project, which draws on research to develop new teaching materials for schools to stimulate tomorrow's scientists.

The PM then travelled to Newton Aycliffe, where he opened a new Sleep Inn hotel development, beside the A1.

He also visited the new Darlington branch of Blackett Hart & Pratt Solicitors, at Westgate House, Faverdale.

The building, formerly the office of Darchem Ltd, has been rebuilt and refurbished to provide 8,500 sq ft of modern office space.

Free parking for visitors and good facilities for the disabled have also been established.

The refurbishment has been welcomed by residents and businesses alike, and has contributed to the £75m West Park Development, which is currently under way.

Later, Mr Blair opened a community garden in east Durham.

Staff and pupils at Wellfield Community School and Wingate Junior School joined forces to transform a piece of derelict land into the garden, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

They wanted the area, between the two schools, to offer the widest possible range of learning opportunities for local people.

In a packed day, Mr Blair also officially opened a showpiece 33-bedroom residential care home in Sedgefield village, believed to be the first care home outside the public sector he has honoured in this way.

Willowdene is the latest home to be opened by Jennifer Houghton, whose company, Executive Care Management, is one of the leading private care home providers operating in the North-East.

Mr Blair, who unveiled a plaque and planted a willow tree in the front garden, described the new home as "a magnificent facility for the elderly people living here".