LOCAL police have been told they are doing a great job -- by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

The PM's words of support came during an unannounced visit to Whitefield Police Station on Friday morning where he praised the work of the local force.

"You are doing a fantastic job in the community," he told assembled officers who cover the Prestwich and Whitefield area before officially opening the newly refurbished station in Bury New Road amid tight security.

With sirens blaring from a police motorcycle escort, Mr Blair arrived just before 9am on Friday after spending the evening at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. He spent more than an hour at the station, chatting to officers, civilian staff and police community support officers.

Mr Blair was given a tour of the building which has benefited from a £750,000 refurbishment, and was shown the mobile CCTV video unit which has proved an effective weapon in tackling street crime in the borough.

PCs Richard Garland and Andy Ferguson demonstrated how the equipment housed in a conspicuous yellow van films offenders and explained how the footage could be used as evidence to secure a conviction. Mr Blair later unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the re-opening of the station, which boasts a new communications system and state-of-the-art computerised briefing facilities.

Mr Blair told the assembled officers: "Many thanks for the work you are doing.

"You are doing a fantastic job in the community. It is our job to make sure you get the services you need to make our streets safe for the law abiding citizens."

Of the improved station and facilities, he said: "It's good to see money working on the ground, in new facilities for the police. You also have extra numbers in police officers and a mobile video unit, which has proved particularly effective in tackling street robbery."

Inspector David Jones, head of Prestwich and Whitefield Police, said: "I was honoured that the Prime Minister found time to visit us at Whitefield and to talk to the officers here."