FORMER Conservative MP Michael Bates has been confirmed as the North-East's newest life peer.

He will be known as Lord Bates of Langbaurgh in the County of North Yorkshire when he takes his seat in the House of Lords later this summer.

Lord Bates, who works alongside business leaders, entrepreneurs and educationalists in the North-East, has said education and the economic advancement of the region will be high on his agenda.

He has worked with some of the biggest global names to improve business performance and is an acknowledged specialist in foreign affairs with particular expertise in the analysis of global trends and the political economy of East Asia.

Born in Gateshead, he began his career in his family firm of insurance brokers, first standing for Parliament in Tyne Bridge aged 25 in 1987.

He served as MP for the now abolished seat of Langbaurgh in Cleveland from 1992 to 1997.

William Hague, chairman of campaign North and MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire, said: "This is great news for the North of England and the Conservative Party, to both of which Michael Bates has already given outstanding service. He will be a strong voice in the House of Lords."

Lord Bates said: "I was born and raised in the North-East and I am immensely proud of my roots. The region has many, many strengths which we need to celebrate, but if we are truly going to be able to compete on the world stage and provide opportunities for our young people then we must exalt academic and entrepreneurial success with the same passion currently reserved for football and entertainment."