President George W. Bush has ended his "wonderful" state visit to the UK, acknowledging the special relationship between the U.S. and Britain and pledging unity in the fight against terrorism.

The final engagement of the three-day stay was a relaxed tour of Prime Minister Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency in northeast England, but Bush found himself answering reporters' questions about Thursday's bombs in Istanbul, which targeted British interests killing 30 people.

The twin attacks on the UK consulate and HSBC's offices in Turkey's biggest city had overshadowed Bush's trip -- marginalising the anti-Bush and Iraq war protests.

"We have got a job to do and that's to defeat terror," he said.

Bush added the U.S. would join with Britain in sharing intelligence on al Qaeda, which has been held responsible for a series of bomb blasts in Istanbul, including the attack on the UK consulate and two synagogues.

Bush's last UK engagement was a school visit, and as flagwaving schoolchildren saw him off to join Air Force One for the journey back to Washington he said: "It's been a great trip, thanks for the hospitality.

"It's really lovely up here -- always a good sign. Being at the school, seeing the schoolchildren here, reminds us of our solemn responsibility to protect our people."

Blair added: "I want to express my real pride that the president of the United States of America is here in my constituency and in the northeast of England.

"We are all delighted to see him here and for the honor his presence does us."

Blair added that the last three days had been "an interesting time" -- an opportunity to reflect on the strength of the alliance with Britain's most important strategic partner.

Earlier, after a cup of tea at Blair's home in the village of Trimdon Colliery, Bush and first lady Laura Bush joined Blair and his wife Cherie for lunch at the Dun Cow pub at nearby Sedgefield.

The prime minister and Mrs Blair, the president and First Lady all chose the same menu -- cream of leek and potato soup to start, followed by fish and chips with mushy peas with lemon creme brulee for pudding.

The president -- a non-drinker for 15 years -- drank non-alcoholic lager while the prime minister and the two women washed their meal down with soft drinks.

At a visit to a sports center the U.S. president also disclosed he had spoken to Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the latest bomb outrages and offer American help in tracking down those responsible, sharing intelligence.

In London, Friday at a regular briefing of Westminster-based political journalists, Blair's official spokesman was asked what Bush's state visit had achieved.

"What the visit has done first and foremost is to allow us as a country to stand back and recognize the importance of the relationship with the U.S., not just for historical and cultural reasons but for the values that we share as we face both the opportunities and the challenges of the modern world."

Bush had flown in to Teesside at noon (1200 GMT) dropping in at Trimdon Colliery in a U.S. Marine helicopter following a formal farewell from Queen Elizabeth II. The Bushes had been staying at Buckingham Palace during their three days in London.

Hundreds of protesters had shouted "Bush out" and "Bush go home" as the cavalcade of security vehicles swept into Sedgefield, an old mining town of about 5,000.

He had been met by a few shouts of protest from a group on the village green, some of whom had been at the mass protest in London the previous day. (Full Story)

One of them, Lindsey German, a leader of the Stop The War Coalition in London, told the UK's Press Association:"He has been kept under house arrest in Buckingham Palace.

"We had the streets of London yesterday and he was forced to scuttle out of the back door because of those protesters. This state visit has been a disaster."

But a heavy police presence, costing $1.7 million, ensured that demonstrators and the official party were kept far apart, with protesters being penned behind security barriers.

But many locals were pleased to see such an "honored guest" in their town.

The president and first lady arrive at the Blair village of Trimdon Colliery.

Shortly after landing, Bush spotted Jemma Grieves wearing a top sporting the American flag and happily posed for photographs before the short walk to Blair's four-bedroom brick house, Myrobella House.

Jemma, a neighbor of the Blair's, told Sky News: "We were very, very lucky to meet the president of the United States. It's a great time and good fortune for the president to be with us today."

Coach driver Michael Evans, 46, who lives half a mile from Blair, said: "Mr Blair lives here, we wanted him as our MP, and if he wants to invite Mr Bush, then it is a great honor for the people of Trimdon.

"While there are a few people who do not agree with all the roads being closed, we have the world's most powerful man here in our village. It has never happened before and it is just a great honor to have him."

John Naylor, a 41-year-old digger driver, was delighted to welcome the U.S. president. "I agree with everything that he has done in Iraq and it is great that he has put Trimdon on the map."

Residents in Trimdon Colliery had shouted at a lone demonstrator in the village, saying Bush was welcome.

The British prime minister had issued the rare invitation for Bush to visit Trimdon to repay the president for several visits to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland and Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

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