THE Prime Minister has sent a personal note of thanks to Burnley MP Peter Pike as he prepares to retire after 20 years.

Tony Blair has joined well-wishers which also include Neil Kinnock, Gordon Prentice and other local MPs, who have sent cards and emails to Mr Pike's home and constituency office in London.

Many of the words were read during a special dinner attended by 60 guests at the Alexander Hotel, Burnley.

Mr Pike said he was delighted with the response as he had not expected any of it but he said the icing on the cake would be to see Burnley go into the Premiership before he retired.

He said: "It was a big surprise to get all those words of praise and it was obviously very pleasing to see the number of people who turned up for the dinner. I didn't really expect anything especially because I have only done 19 years and nine months so far.

"I have obviously been involved in Burnley Labour Party for 40 years and there's nowhere I'd rather have been MP. It had to be Burnley and I am proud to have represented this town."

He said he had got most pleasure from solving problems for his constituents and getting letters of appreciation from them.

The MP said: "Some of the letters have come from people I have done least for and you don't necessarily expect thanks."

He has enjoyed visiting places he may not have had the opportunity to visit if he had not been MP and played a main role in putting an end to apartheid in South Africa.

He said: "There's also not much in Burnley that I haven't been involved in in one way or another as MP and as part of the Labour Party. There's still a lot to be done and I recognise that."