Blears talks internet with Dean

Ms Blears said she was "capitalising" on Mr Dean's persence

Former Democratic US presidential candidate Howard Dean has had a meeting with Labour chairman Hazel Blears.

The two talked for an hour or so about campaigning and the internet.

Mr Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee and famous for his internet-based fundraising, is also speaking to Labour special advisers.

A spokesman for Ms Blears said that she was "capitalising on the fact that he was here" and that she was just meeting her opposite number.

Mr Dean's fundraising during his ultimately unsuccessful campaign to win the Democratic nomination, broke previous party records.

Much of the money was garnered from small donations made via the internet and in total his campaign raised about £50m.

The Labour Party currently has £23m of debt and last week admtted it faced "acute cash flow problems".