NORTH West MEP Robert Atkins has moved up the pecking order in the British Conservative delegation in Europe.

He has been appointed the Tory spokesman on the Trade and Industry Committee of the European Parliament.

Mr Atkins said the newly-elected leader of the 36-strong European Conservative Group, Jonathan Evans, had asked him to front the party's team in a vital area of policy.

"As a former Industry Minister in Great Britain and in Northern Ireland, I am delighted to be back," said the current Tory transport spokesman.

"The European Parliament considers the Trade and Industry Committee to be one of its most powerful and important and it is essential that British interests are developed and protected."