TONY Blair visited two of his favourite watering holes yesterday, but instead of enjoying a quiet drink he was learning about two local initiatives.

At Trimdon Labour Club, in Trimdon village, County Durham, he met a dozen young people from Easington Community School.

The pupils had all completed short GCSE courses in citizenship through Durham County Council's Urban II scheme, organising events and environmental schemes in the Murton and Easington area.

They quizzed him on issues raised during their studies, calling for better facilities for young people and more fire and rescue resources in light of the London terrorist attacks.

Mr Blair acknowledged the need to respect young people and invest in facilities to encourage good behaviour, and he pledged to invest millions of pounds in the emergency services.

The Prime Minister then crossed the road, visiting a church flower festival on the way to reopen the Red Lion bar and restaurant as Sedgefield borough's first smoke-free pub.

The Prime Minister said the pub, where he enjoyed a meal the previous night, was unrecognisable from when he first visited with his agent John Burton in 1983, on the night that he was told that he had unexpectedly made the candidate's shortlist for the newly-created Sedgefield seat.

"When I told him, he shot up and nearly hit the ceiling in there," said Mr Burton.

The owner, Enterprise Inn, has refurbished the building and landlord and lady Gordon and Sheila Wright have banned smoking.

The couple and three other members of staff who smoke all signed a pledge to kick the habit from Tuesday.

Mr Blair said he appreciates it will be tough for customers who do smoke, but congratulated Mr and Mrs Wright for making the brave step.

He said: "I gave up smoking a quarter of an hour before I got married. It was part of the deal and I still think I made the right decision."

He then presented Mr Wright with a Gold National Clean Air Award, founded by the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and spoke to Sedgefield Primary Care Trust's public health improvement team about the work they are doing to tackle smoking in an area with a poor health record.