PRIME Minister Tony Blair has praised Dover's Customs officers for the work they are doing.

His comments come after widespread criticism that the officers were being too heavy handed with day trippers, seizing alcohol and tobacco goods and their vehicles.

Dover MP Gwyn Prosser raised the subject at Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons. Mr Prosser said the Budget 2000 crackdown on big-time smugglers had reduced cross-channel smuggling by 76 per cent, and had cut associated crime.

The MP asked: "Will he (the Prime Minister) join me in applauding the hardworking Customs officers at Dover and condemning those parts of the press that seek to undermine their efforts?"

Mr Blair replied: "I certainly welcome the work that Customs officers do in my hon. Friend's constituency and other constituencies up and down the country. They often work under very difficult and trying circumstances. It is important, of course, that we make sure that they operate under sensible rules, which is why the Treasury announced changes the other day.

"Let me say to his constituents that we applaud the hard work done by Customs officers, which is necessary because of the problems of smuggling."