Prime minister Tony Blair and his family are to spend part of their annual summer holiday in Britain this year, Downing Street announced today.

It will be the first time since becoming premier that Mr Blair, wife Cherie and their children have holidayed in this country.

Mr Blair's official spokesman gave no details of where or when the summer break would take place and added the family would also be going abroad for some time.

"The family is planning to spend part of their holiday in Britain, but we will be setting out more details at a future date.

The spokesman would not be drawn on whether the move was designed to boost the image of British tourism in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis.

Mr and Mrs Blair and their children Leo, one; Kathryn 13; Nicky, 16, and Euan, 17, have spent holidays in Tuscany in the past and there has been speculation that this year they might join Spanish premier Jose Maria Aznar at a villa in Menorca.