Ulster Unionist MLA Tom Elliott will take on the title Lord Elliott of Ballinamallard when he enters the House of Lords, it can be revealed.

Lord Elliott confirmed his title to this newspaper on Wednesday morning but joked that he would still be "just Tom".

Mr. Elliott told this newspaper that becoming one of 19 new peers as part of Rishi Sunak's dissolution honours was "a great honour".

"An honour for the community, not just me. I look at it as it is for my community and my family.

"I always look at myself not as a professional politician but as an ordinary community person who was a farmer and a member of the security forces.

"I equally enjoy myself at home as I do in the football club, in the orange hall or church as I do at Westminster."

He said he had considered a number of other names for his title including the townland where he lives Tullyrain and Magheracross, the name of the Parish where he worships.

Mr. Elliott's political career began in the legacy Fermanagh District Council before he progressed to Stormont as an MLA, where he served as Ulster Unionist leader from 2010 to 2012. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone and says he is looking forward to his return to Westminster.

"No matter what people think of those in London and Westminster not being interested in Northern Ireland, there are people interested in Northern Ireland I have found. You soon get to know people who have a level of interest in Northern Ireland and indeed Fermanagh South Tyrone."

He will join other familiar faces who are from the area in the House of Lords including Viscount Brookeborough, Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee, Lord Morrow of Clogher Valley and Lord Dodds of Duncairn.

When asked if he will leave his Stormont seat he said: "I am there for the time being.

"That has to be discussed with the association officers and the party leader, there is no urgency in any of that. You will not see anything happening in that in the short term."

Now that Stormont is on the cusp of entering a summer recess, it remains unlikely that a co-option will take place before September.

The front-runner and likely replacement remains to be Diana Armstrong who last week ran as the general election candidate for the Ulster Unionists.

Former MLA Rosemary Barton could be eyeing a return to the Stormont chamber having served as an MLA from 2016 until 2022.

Other contenders could be from the two local councils that fall under the boundaries of the constituency.

Councillor Meta Graham, a former vice chairperson of Mid Ulster District Council could also be a contender for the area.

In Fermanagh and Omagh, some Unionist sources had suggested Councillor Mark Ovens could be taking a run at selection but it is understood that he has ruled himself out for selection.