A FORMER MP for West Worcestershire is among more than 50 senior figures elevated to the House of Lords.

Sir Michael Spicer, who served for 36 years and three months has been granted the prestigious title of being made a peer, according to an honours list released by Downing Street.

Sir Spicer, a Conservative grandee who retired from the Commons earlier this year, is among those including former deputy prime minister John Prescott, ex-Tory leader Michael Howard and former Northern Ireland first minister Ian Paisley who were elevated to the House of Lords on Friday.

The list also includes former agriculture minister John Gummer and ex-economic secretary John Maples.

In a farewell announcement Sir Michael said: “During that period I have been proud to serve my constituents both as a backbench member and as a minister, variously for transport, aviation, coal and electricity and housing.

“I am particularly proud to have taken through Parliament the Bill to privatise the electricity industry and for a short time to have been Parliamentary Private Secretary to Prime Minister Thatcher.”

He added that he was particularly proud to assist in the campaign to have a new hospital built in Malvern, and to play a part in the passing of legislation to prevent a repeat of the massive rave that took place in 1992 on Castlemorton Common.

When he retired, he also thanked Parliamentary colleagues for electing him on nine consecutive occasions as chairman of the Conservative Parliamentary Party, the 1922 Committee.

Harriett Baldwin, the current MP for West Worcestershire, said: "I am delighted that Lord Spicer's four decades of distinguished public service have been recognised with this honour.

“I congratulate him on his appointment and l look forward to working with him in the Houses of Parliament."