A FATHER left holding the tea and biscuits after Tony Blair cancelled plans to pop in for a cuppa told the Prime Minister today: "You're welcome back any time!"

Mr Blair was on a whistle-stop tour of East Lancashire yesterday to highlight a government pledge to regenerate housing.

Following a press conference at Blackburn's King George's Hall, Mr Blair paid a brisk visit to the Bank Top area, where Wensley Fold councillors Mohammed Khan and Kate Hollern showed him how a £4.2million injection had benefited the area's housing.

After seeing ongoing work in Bromley Street, Mr Blair had planned to visit the Rana family, in nearby Palatine Road, have a cup of tea and a slice of cake, and talk to them about how their street had been improved.

But his demanding schedule meant the Prime Minister simply did not have time and instead spent a few rushed minutes with the family.

Abdul Rana, 69, who has lived in Palatine Road for more than 20 years, said: "Mr Blair apologised but he was very rushed. He spent about two or three minutes here and asked how the house had been improved."

"I like to have things in when anybody comes round, but when I found out it was the Prime Minister I had to nip to the shops and buy some cakes and scones.

"We weren't disappointed at all that he could not stay longer. It was an honour for him to come. Perhaps he could come again and eat them that time."

When Mr Rana heard he was to expect guests he duly stocked up with tea and biscuits. But when he found out that guest was the Prime Minister -- and he was due in a couple of hours -- he really went to town. The retired Sapi papermill worker dashed out and bought a wide range of cakes and scones to add his array of biscuits in readiness for his special visitor, only for Tony Blair not to touch any of them.

Mr Rana, son Ibrar, 33, and daughter Ferzana, 22, all got to meet the Prime Minister, as did neighbours Anne Mcloughlin and Alan Knowles.

Mr Rana said the first thing he knew about the visit was when ward councillor Mohammed Khan said a "top member" of the Labour Party was going to visit.

Late on Thursday night Mr Rana received a phone call confirming the visit and on Friday morning he was finally told who the guest would be. Security was the reason for the secrecy.

A spokeswoman for Mr Blair said: "The Prime Minister was delighted to meet Mr Rana and was very impressed by what had been done to the house.

"He was absolutely dying for a cup of tea and was very sorry he couldn't stay."