For many it would be a golden opportunity to pass on their views, gripes or constructive suggestions to the country's most powerful man.

But when public relations consultant Andy Green met Tony Blair he was so stunned to be shaking the prime minister's hand that he could not think of a word to say. Two awful minutes of awkward silence followed - the two simply clutching each other's hand.

So chastened was Mr Green by his experince that he has devoted himself to finding out what others would have said to the prime minister. He is collecting the thoughts in a book which he hopes to present to Mr Blair.

Mr Green, 36, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, met the prime minister at last year's Labour conference. He said: "I got the chance to have my photo taken with him and we started to shake hands and waited for the camera to click. Then the photographer had to change the film and we were left in mid-pose.

"The pause seemed like an eternity. I thought 'Say something, anything.' Unfortunately the only thing I could think of was 'Nice speech' and then there was complete silence for nearly two minutes.

"We ended up holding hands for nearly two minutes. He acknowledged my 'Nice speech' and remained really professional in the handshaking pose but the time seemed to be an eternity."

Mr Green has been compiling the thoughts of people, including some celebrities, on what they would have said on a website.

Suggestions for topics range from the ridiculous - for example had he changed the toilet seats at No 10 so he would not be sitting on the same piece of plastic or wood as Margaret Thatcher - to the very serious, including Ireland, devolution and the plight of pensioners.

The suggestions are to be gathered in a book called A Minute With.

Anyone who wants to offer a contribution to the book should look at the website www.aminutewith.com

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