It was all over in little more than four hours. But for many it was a day they will never forget.

The most powerful man in the world, the President of the United States of America, George W Bush breezed into Teesside Airport on Air Force One, went to Sedgefield, met the local folks, and then was gone.

Dropping in by Black Stallion Navy Sikorsky helicopter, Mr and Mrs Bush were warmly welcomed by the Blairs after it landed on the playing field near the Prime Minister's Trimdon Colliery home.

Mr Bush even took time for a chat with some neighbours before being shown round Myrobella, the Blairs' Sedgefield constituency home.

The it was off to the pub for lunch in Tony Blair's local, the Dun Cow Inn, in Sedgefield.

On the menu was that County Durham staple, fish and chips and mushy peas. But not a pint. The president had non-alcoholic lager.

There were protestors, who had lined the village green more than five hours before the president was due. But security measures meant they, along with supporters of the visit, were kept well away from the visiting party.

Students at Sedgefield Community College then got a big surprise when Mr Bush arrived.

He got a huge welcome there, meeting and greeting staff and students, even joining in an impromptu game of football.

There was a touching farewell for George and Laura from Tony and Cherie before it was back to the airport for the flight home to Washington.

Crowds of spectators watched from the airport car park as Mr Bush shook hands with each police officer, before stepping into line with both them and the US soldiers as hundreds of cameras captured the image.

He and Mrs Bush ascended the steps of Air Force One together, stopping at the top for a final wave and smile. Minutes later, the jumbo jet disappeared into the clouds as it headed for America.