Blair launches Northern Echo's podcast service

The prime minister, Tony Blair, has helped the Northern Echo launch its new podcasting service by recording a message for its first broadcast. Blair told the paper's political editor, Chris Lloyd:: "I am pretty ignorant about technology but, in practical terms, I know its important." The recording was a double first for the Darlington-based paper because Lloyd's interview with Blair was also filmed by photographer Chris Booth, who had just completed a Newsquest video training course. It was also uploaded to the paper's website. (Via holdthefrontpage.co.uk)