Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott will make his maiden speech in the House of Lords later.

The now Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull will speak in a question for a short debate on low carbon technologies.

The choice of his title reflects the former deputy prime minister's desire to continue to be an ambassador for the city where he has lived for more than 40 years and represented in Parliament since 1970.

His elevation to the peerage may win the man sometimes known as "Prezza" or "Two Jags" a new nickname, with some followers already dubbing him "the Erminator".

Lord Prescott has rejected suggestions that taking ermine was a hypocritical step for a one-time class warrior, former merchant seaman and trade union leader.

He has fiercely denied press reports that he once said he did not want the "flunkery and titles" of the Upper House.

And he has also brushed off suggestions that he accepted a peerage at the instigation of his wife Pauline.