TONY Blair's long awaited memoir is to be published in September and will be called The Journey, it was announced today.

The former Prime Minister and MP for Sedgefield said "it will describe the human as much as the political dimensions" of his years leading the country.

Gail Rebuck, chief executive of publishing group Random House, said the book will break new ground in prime ministerial memoirs.

Mr Blair will voice the audio version of the book, which will be published in print and electronic eBook versions.

Mr Blair, who appeared before the Iraq Inquiry in January, said: "I have really enjoyed the writing of the book. I have tried to write a book which describes the human as much as the political dimensions of life as Prime Minister.

"Though necessarily retrospective, it is an attempt to inform and shape current and future thinking as much as an historical account of the past. Most of all I want readers to have as much pleasure reading it as I had writing it."

Mr Blair is pictured on the cover looking both solemn, but half-smiling, dressed smartly yet informally in black jacket and shirt with the top button undone.

The book is to be published by Randoms imprint Hutchinson in the UK, and will appear simultaneously in the US, published by Knopf, and Canada - published by Knopf Canada.

Ms Rebuck said: "Tony Blair's 'The Journey' will break new ground in prime ministerial memoirs, just as Blair himself broke the mould of British politics.

"His book is frank, open, revealing and written in an intimate and accessible style.

"As an account of the nature and uses of power, it will have a readership that extends well beyond politics, to all those who want to understand the challenge of leadership in today's world," she added.

Mr Blair's US publisher Sonny Mehta said: "Tony Blair is an extremely popular figure in North America.

"His memoir is refreshing, both for its candour and vivid portrayal of political life. We all knew Blair was an extraordinary statesman and gifted thinker. We can now add exceptional writer to that list."

Mr Blair will go on a UK and international tour to publicise the book, which will be priced at £25.

Translation rights have been sold to 12 territories so far.