GORDON Brown has heaped praise on 'wonderful' Manchester in the aftermath of the Labour Party conference.

And the Prime Minister reaffirmed plans to stage the conference in the city again in 2010.

His comments come as figures reveal the four-day event attracted around 11,000 people to the city centre, alongside the world's media.

Council bosses predict an £18m economic benefit.

Mr Brown said: "Manchester is a wonderful city and a great place to hold a conference. We look forward to returning in 2010."

Police launched one of Britain's largest security operations involving 1,100 officers and costing £5.6m. Figures show there were just six arrests. None were said to be 'conference-related'.

Two arrests were made for alleged fraud relating to unofficial car parks, three were for drugs offences and the sixth was a firearms offence involving the alleged possession of a 'stun gun' type weapon.

A new police control room was used for the first time during the conference and it will now be used to police major city centre events and football matches.

The control room features 360 CCTV feeds, allowing officers to study the entire city centre 24 hours a day. Police said it is the most advanced 'control and command facility' in the country.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Thompson thanked all involved in the operation - and the people of Manchester.

He said: "There have been a number of protests, both big and small, over the course of the conference that have added to the city life and reinforced Manchester's reputation as a political city.

"Visitors have been impressed with the city and the friendliness of Mancunians. While being welcoming, people and businesses have also been vigilant, ensuring the city has been secure but also very friendly."

Council bosses said the conference reaffirmed Manchester's standing as a 'world-class conference destination'.

Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "It's a testament to the people of Manchester that they have, as they always do, welcomed so many visitors into our midst and that the city has continued to run smoothly alongside this major event."

Business bosses said the 2006 conference generated more than £15m of economic benefit for the city. Early estimates suggest the figure for this year could top £18m.

Angie Robinson, chief executive of Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "The conference has been a resounding success and has brought in a significant amount of money particularly for the city's hospitality and retail trade. All eyes have been on Manchester over the past week and it has been a great opportunity to showcase the city as the truly world-class conference destination it is."

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting the city on a national and international stage, added: "The legacy of Labour's 2006 event has not only been upheld, but enhanced.

"Manchester Central has always been a much-valued asset to the city's conference offering, but the success of Labour Conference 2008 has proven that it's quite simply the best political party conference venue in the country."

Click here for all the background stories on the conference.

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