TONY BLAIR gave a personal vote of thanks yesterday to the victorious Nissan workforce which secured a £235m contract to build the new Micra.

The Prime Minister made a whistle-stop visit to the Wearside plant where he met assembly line workers.

Mr Blair had a cup of tea with staff who were enjoying their 45 minute break during the eight-hour day shift.

He then stood alongside Nissan's managing director, John Cushnaghan, and told workers: "There was absolutely no other reason that the plant was successful than the hugely skilled and productive workforce."

Mr Blair was presented with a commemorative plaque from production line worker Peter MacDonald.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister met pupils and teachers from Hardwick Primary School, in his Sedgefield constuency in County Durham.

The school was severely damaged last week in a fire which is still being investigated.

Before the blaze, Mr Blair had been due to visit the school to help present a new computer under the Tesco Computers for Schools scheme.

Undeterred, he teamed up with Terry Leahy, Tesco chief executive, at Sedgefield's Parish Hall, yesterday, to present the school with not one, but three new computers.

Mr Blair also helped to present "quality practice" awards to staff from three doctors surgeries in his Sedgefield constituency.

The awards, accredited by the Royal College of General Practioners, are aimed at improving and maintaining high quality healthcare services for patients.

They were among 20 awards for high standards given to surgeries across the country