A FORMER North-East MP is to be made a member of the House of Lords.

Michael Bates, who served as Conservative MP for the now-abolished seat of Langbaurgh from 1992 until 1997, is to be made a life peer.

Mr Bates lives and works in Aykley Heads, Durham. He was a cabinet minister in John Major's government and is currently deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, responsible for its campaign to win support in the North.

He said: "It's a surprise and a very great honour. When it sinks in a bit more I think I will see it as a responsibility."

Mr Bates, 47, said part of his work would be party political but he would work for the economic and academic advancement of the North-East.

Born in Gateshead, Mr Bates is now a director of the Vardy Group. Earlier this month, he was a defeated candidate in the Durham County Council elections. He stood in the Framwellgate Moor division.

He has not yet chosen a Lords title.

Conservative Party leader David Cameron, who nominated Mr Bates for his peerage, said: "I am delighted that Michael Bates will be joining the House of Lords. He will be an excellent member.

"He has a long record of public and political service. Most recently, he has worked hard to re-establish the Conservative Party in the North of England. He will continue that task in the months ahead. I look forward to working with him in Parliament."

Graham Robb, a member of the Conservatives' North-East Board, added: "Michael Bates is a truly remarkable force in North-East politics.

"He brings the power of positive thinking and an enthusiastic energy to the campaigns he is involved with.

"He is unflappable, imaginative, genuine, kind and works every hour God sends."

When Mr Bates' Langbaurgh constituency was abolished, he fought the seat of Middlesbrough South and Cleveland East, losing to Labour's Ashok Kumar.