A motion to give the Rev Ian Paisley freedom of a County Antrim town has failed to attract cross-party support.

Democratic Unionists on Ballymena council tabled the motion in recognition of the party leader's "vigorous representations at Stormont, Westminster and the European Parliament on behalf of all the citizens of Northern Ireland".

"His comprehensive constituency work over a political career of three decades is unparalleled," added councillor Robin Stirling.

However, while all 11 DUP councillors and an Independent Unionist backed the motion, all four of the SDLP representatives voted against it.

An independent councillor and six of the seven Ulster Unionists abstained.

For the motion to be successful, it must attract the support of at least two thirds of councillors at a specially-convened future meeting.