Blair's sporting legacy unveiled

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Tony Blair is planning to base a sporting foundation at his constituency home in County Durham after he stands down as Premier later this month.

He is to lend his name to a charitable sporting foundation, which will focus on nurturing talent in schools.

Mr Blair's agent John Burton - himself a former PE teacher - said the foundation would be based at the Sedgefield MP's home in Trimdon.

He said Mr Blair wanted to "give something back to children".

The move ends speculation that Myrobella House, in Trimdon Colliery, is to be sold when Mr Blair stands down as prime minister on 27 June.

Wide potential

Bought for £30,000, Mr Blair's home is now thought to be worth about £300,000 today.

Mr Burton said: "I think he wants to give something back to the children and he sees sport as being one of the ways of doing that.

"He wants a connection with the North East and he wants to keep his house on as a headquarters for that foundation. There may also be another foundation in the south.

"It will provide top-class coaches for youngsters who want to compete in the Olympics in 2012."

Peter Slater, co-ordinator of Sport North East, welcomed the plans.

He said: "I think it's remarkable and the potential is very wide."

North East sporting stars like Brendan Foster and Steve Cram are also likely to be involved in the project.