Ken Maginnis has announced he will stand down as an MP at the next election.

He has represented the seat of Fermanagh and South Tyrone for the Ulster Unionists for 18 years and at the last election his majority was 13, 688. Maginnis is his party's spokesman on defence and trade and industry. The former primary school teacher and major in the Ulster Defence Regiment has been a staunch supporter of David Trimble, recommending the party back the peace agreement despite opposition from colleagues.

He explained to epxNews: "I've been working for 42 years - and working pretty hard - and I don't want to work to the parliamentary schedule any more going backwards and forwards twice a week. I'm not going into hibernation as there are still local issues that I can give my support to."

"Before me no-one had held the seat for more than eight years and I've been here for 18 with a majority increasing every year. There comes a time when you need someone new who can be a breath of fresh air and carry on with what you've achieved. It's been an open secret here - I told my constituency party some months ago of my intention. It's no good in going on until it becomes a burden. I've decided to step down while I'm still enjoying what I do."