PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair arrived in East Lancashire today full of praise for Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Mr Blair was to witness the effect £4.1million of regeneration money had had in the Bank Top area transforming old homes to new.
He was seeing first hand how pre-1919 terraced houses have been replaced with a smaller number of semi-detached and terraced housing, which is said to discourage crime and promote community activity.
Mr Blair was also praising the council for jointly winning the Council of the Year award.
He was due to chat to residents in Bank Top before visiting a technology centre in Nelson.
In an exclusive interview with the Lancashire Evening Telegraph before his arrival, the Prime Minister spoke about the controversial plans to close 35 county council care homes.
And he warned people not to vote for the BNP in next week's local elections.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Bill Taylor said: "We are very pleased to welcome the Prime Minister to Blackburn again.
"This is the second time in three years he has been to see the excellent work we are doing."
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