WHILE the life of an editor has its trials and tribulations, it also has its undoubted privileges. There are opportunities to meet extraordinary people, visit memorable places, and perform interesting duties.

Indeed, as I write, the editor of the Darlington & Stockton Times is rushing off to judge the Northern Council of Butchers' Association's Annual Sausage and Ham Competition. His mission: to sample 52 varieties of sausage and half a dozen hams.

For some reason, my presence wasn't required at the North's biggest sausage event but an invitation did arrive to attend a reception for regional editors hosted by the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street.

Whatever anyone thinks of Tony Blair, such an invitation is a great honour - a rare opportunity to go inside an address oozing with history. It will actually be my second visit to No 10. The first was in January 2002 and it was an unforgettable experience.

As 60 or so editors were ushered inside Britain's most famous front door, we were asked to pick up our name badges. As I collected mine, I was asked to follow a receptionist down a corridor. I was shown into a drawing room and there was the Prime Minister and Alistair Campbell, sitting on a sofa in front of an open fire.

"Ah come in, Peter," said Mr Blair. "We thought we'd have ten minutes with our local paper first."

So there I was, sitting on a comfy chair in Downing Street, chatting with the Prime Minister about the issues facing the North-East, as well as family matters and football.

Mr Blair had that day arrived back in Britain after a six-day tour of the Indian sub-continent to help defuse tensions between India and Pakistan. The trip had culminated with a secret visit to Afghanistan. He'd had to fly in under cover of darkness in an RAF Hercules fully equipped to counter missile attacks.

"You must be absolutely shattered," I said to the PM.

"No, I don't feel too bad," he replied. "But you look tired."

I explained, somewhat shamefully, that I'd had to catch an early train from Darlington to King's Cross.

Later, during the main reception, Mr Blair made a speech about the importance of local newspapers. "When I was a young MP , it was always a thrill to see my name in The Northern Echo - and it still is," he said.

Imagine my surprise when, without warning, the president of the Newspaper Society, Edwin Boorman, announced that I would reply on behalf of the editors. Don't ask me what I said, it's all a blur. All I can remember is that John Prescott was directly in my eye-line, staring at me with the kind of distaste a committed vegetarian has for a sausage.

Speaking of which, I can report that top honours at the Northern Council of Butchers' Association's annual contest went to Paul Clark, of George Pickings' butchers in Front Street, East Boldon, Sunderland, with his exquisite lamb and mint sausage.

The editor of the Darlington & Stockton Times has put on half a stone