IT WAS a case of Meacher on the beach-er as the government minister kept his promise to swim in Blackpool's waters.

Michael Meacher, environment minister, took time out from the Labour conference to follow up his pledge to take to the sea off Blackpool once the town's bathing water met EU quality standards.

Surrounded by cameras and reporters and braving the chilly October temperatures, Mr Meacher stripped down to his shorts and went into the water off North Pier just after noon, along with two colleagues.

Afterwards he told onlookers that he was proud of the fact that Blackpool's waters had achieved the standards and that he was happy to keep his promise to swim in the sea.

Former US president Bill Clinton grabbed a burger on the Golden Mile, snatched a round of golf in Lytham St Annes and took a promenade ride on a Blackpool tram, during his visit to the resort this week.

Accompanied by actor Kevin Spacey and Prime Minister's spokesman, Alistair Campbell, Mr Clinton ate at McDonald's on the Golden Mile, on Tuesday.