TONY Blair's government invested in Swindon, leaving the town with new schools and greater opportunity.

That will be his legacy according to the town's MPs past and present, who paid tribute to the Prime Minister's decade in office.

Blair yesterday spoke to the cabinet and to his constituency group in Sedgefield of his intention to offer his resignation to the Queen next month.

After the Labour leader announced he would stand down on June 27, South Swindon MP Anne Snelgrove said the town had a lot to be grateful for.

The Labour politician said: "We have had a fantastic economy in Swindon and I would say that is the pick of the good things we have from Tony Blair's government.

"The job market is buoyant, we have got huge increases in funding for schools and hospitals, and despite what people say there are NHS dentists in the town."

The Prime Minister took an interest in education and crime in the town, visiting the facilities at New College in May 2001 and launching his Respect Agenda in January last year.

He cleaned graffiti from a wall at Toothill Village Centre before visiting Pinehurst People's Centre, as part of a crackdown on youth antisocial behaviour.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills said Blair's commitment to confronting yob behaviour marked him out from previous governments.

He said: "It's been a problem here for years and years and when this government came in the police didn't have the resources to tackle it.

"Now we have Asbos and that is a great step forward. None of these things mean we can relax but they do reflect the positive changes that have taken place."

Mr Wills joined Mrs Snelgrove in praising the improvement to Swindon's schools.

He said: "People forget that when I came here 10 years ago schools were falling down and pupils at Hreod Parkway were having chemistry lessons in buildings that were 40 years old.

"In the past few weeks we have seen a brand new building at Nova Hreod and investment everywhere."

Julia Drown saw the sense of possibility that Blair heralded at the beginning of his term in office.

The former Labour MP for South Swindon was one of the Blair Babes and served from 1997 until 2005.

She said: "I remember that being in that great group of woman MPs was very exciting. It was the first time we had formed a significant section of the Commons and there was a feeling that a new era had arrived. It showed that the traditional ways of doing things were not set in stone, and we were able to develop from there."

Despite the optimism of May 1997, both Mr Wills and Mrs Snelgrove said Mr Blair had caused divides among the party faithful.

Mr Wills said: "He has been a strong leader and therefore a divisive leader, which is something you expect in politics.

"That has changed over time. In 1997 he was definitely an asset when you were canvassing people who were thinking of voting Labour for the first time.

"He was a powerful politician, but at the last election he probably cost us about 500 votes."

Mrs Snelgrove said: "Tony Blair is someone like Margaret Thatcher who polarises opinion, you either love him or you hate him.

"I have knocked on doors in Swindon and heard someone say they thought he was the saviour of the party, but when you go to the next door it's the complete opposite."

Both said they would support Gordon Brown, who they predicted would succeed Mr Blair.

Mr Wills said: "I don't know if there will be a leadership contest, but if there is I will be backing Gordon.

"I think an election would be a good idea because it's a democratic thing to do, but in any event I think he is the best candidate."

Mrs Snelgrove said: "We have to wait and see if anyone is going to come out against him, but I fully expect to see Gordon winning.

"I think you will see a much more relaxed politician than we have seen so far, with a clear idea of what he wants to do."