Blair praises culture city

Tony Blair said Liverpool is "really going places"

Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie have flown into Liverpool's John Lennon Airport as part of a two-day tour of the region.

The prime minister said the city's recent success as European Capital of Culture in 2008 was "a big vote of confidence for Liverpool".

The couple were greeted at John Lennon Airport by local children.

Mr Blair told reporters that he was delighted the bid by Liverpool - Cherie Blair's home town - had been successful.

He added: "It releases a lot of dynamism and energy into the city. Liverpool would not have won if it was not for the fact that it is really going places.

"We're going to be working with the city very closely.

Liverpool is perceived by people as a city with a great future

Prime Minister Tony Blair

"It is in everyone's interests to use Liverpool as a magnet for the North West and for the country."

Mr Blair's Sedgefield constituency is in Co Durham and when asked if he and his wife had discussed the competition between Liverpool and Tyneside-Gateshead to become capital of culture, Mr Blair said: "It's more than my life is worth to interfere.

"What is important is Liverpool is perceived by people as a city with a great future."

Mr Blair later visited University Hospital Aintree to answer questions from a panel of healthcare workers, before meeting patients recovering from surgery.