Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern has sent a personal message

Tony Blair has been receiving get well messages as he rests at Downing Street after treatment in hospital for an irregular heartbeat.

Political colleagues have wished him a fast recovery, while concerned constituents have called his office in Sedgefield, County Durham.

The US administration was "very glad to hear that he [the Prime Minister] is doing well", US National Security Advisor Condolezza Rice told reporters travelling with President George W Bush in Thailand.

The two leaders have not spoken since Blair's heart scare.

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: "I was very sorry to hear that the prime minister was taken ill today and was briefly admitted to hospital.

"I very much hope he makes a swift recovery and I send him and his family all best wishes at this difficult time."

John Burton, who runs Mr Blair's office in Sedgefield, said people there were hoping he was better soon.

He said: "He will be in their thoughts and prayers as a friend. We have already had a lot of phone calls from local people wishing him well."

Mr Burton, the prime minister's Labour Party agent, added: "I have spoken to Cherie and Tony is fine. He went into hospital and had some treatment and now he is fine.

"We are close family friends, we just asked after Tony. We were talking about him as just Tony not as the prime minister."

'Full health'

At Sedgefield Labour Club, regulars said they were thinking about Mr Blair.

Eric Wilkes, of the club's committee, said: "People were concerned. Everybody's thoughts are with him."

Irish leader Bertie Ahern has sent personal best wishes to his British counterpart, according to the Irish Embassy.

Meanwhile, Scottish National Party leader John Swinney sent the Labour leader his "very best wishes" and those of the SNP.

Mr Swinney, shadow first minister of the Scottish Parliament, said: "I was heartened to hear that he was only in hospital for a very short time and can only hope that he will be returned to full health swiftly."