Blairs begin French break

Cherie and Tony Blair pictured last week in Cumbria

Tony and Cherie Blair have arrived in France to begin a family holiday delayed after the prime minister's wife suffered a miscarriage and underwent surgery.

They arrived at Toulouse airport on Wednesday afternoon and were travelling to join their four children who arrived in France yesterday.

Mrs Blair was admitted to hospital on Monday night after being taken ill in Downing Street and was discharged on Tuesday morning following an operation.

Flowers from wellwishers are delivered to Downing Street

Mrs Blair, 47, then travelled with her husband to the premier's country retreat, Chequers to recuperate.

Mrs Blair gave birth to the couple's fourth child Leo in May 2000. He was the first baby born to a British prime minister for more than a century.

Leo is understood to be with the older children, Euan, Nicky and Kathryn, in France with Cherie's mother Gale.

Quiet holiday

Downing Street said the couple wanted to thank staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, where the operation took place under general anaesthetic, for their support and care.

Tony and Cherie Blair with baby Leo in 2001

Downing Street said that while they understood the inevitable interest they hoped the media would allow the prime minister and his family to enjoy as normal a family holiday as possible.

Mrs Blair, who will be 48 next month, is understood to have known that she was pregnant.

The Blairs spent the end of last week and the weekend in the North West, attending the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games on Sunday evening.

Facing the media on Friday, Mrs Blair looked relaxed and happy in St Bees, Cumbria, with her husband.

And she seemed to enjoy the closing ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, despite the rainy weather.

Messages of sympathy

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said: "I am very sorry to hear the news for Tony and Cherie and hope people will respect their privacy."

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith and his wife Betsy sent flowers to Downing Street with a note wishing Mrs Blair a full recovery.

A spokeswoman for Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "Charles Kennedy is still on his honeymoon but I know he will be shocked and saddened by what has happened and would want to offer the prime minister his deepest sympathy and condolences.

"This is a desperately painful thing to happen to the Blairs and Mr Kennedy would also want to wish Mrs Blair as speedy a recovery as possible."