TONY Blair completed a whistle-stop tour of community projects in his Sedgefield constituency during a visit to the region last Friday.

The Prime Minister helped to insulate the house of Joan Harrison in Chilton, the five millionth British home to have insulating material blown into its cavity walls. The installation was paid for by the Government's Warm Front scheme.

Mr Blair then dropped in to the Dean Bank area of Ferryhill to meet residents and neighbourhood wardens keen to show him the transformation of their community.

The six-month old wardens scheme was introduced in response to residents' concerns over increasing crime and the general decline of the area.

The Prime Minister moved on to Sedgefield village, where he opened a new courtyard at Thurlow Grange residential home, before visiting the Darlington Youth Blitz Bus, which was in Sedgefield, where he presented volunteers with their investors in children award.