Ian Paisley made a peer in the Dissolution honours

Image caption, Ian Paisley was made a peer in the dissolution honours

Former first minister of Northern Ireland Ian Paisley has been made a peer in the Dissolution Honours List.

He was among more than 50 senior figures elevated to the House of Lords on Friday.

Responding to the announcement, First Minister Peter Robinson said the recognition was "well-deserved".

He said: "For some four decades, Dr Paisley represented the people of North Antrim with distinction."

"He is a giant of politics in Northern Ireland and throughout the United Kingdom," he added.

Dr Paisley will join his wife Eileen, who was made a baroness in 2006, in the House of Lords.

Also awarded peerages on Friday were former Tory leader Michael Howard, former deputy prime minister John Prescott, former Northern Ireland Secretary of State John Reid and the former Defence Secretary Des Browne.

Dissolution Honours Lists are made at the end of every Parliament and allow outgoing prime ministers to reward colleagues.