FORMER MP Jim Knight will officially become Lord Knight of Weymouth later this month.

The former South Dorset MP was recently made a Life Peer in the Queen’s Dissolution Honours list but has had to wait for his title to be confirmed.

Mr Knight’s top three options for titles were ‘Weymouth, Portland or Chesil’ but now, following talks with ‘the powers that be’ he is to become Lord Knight of Weymouth.

He will be officially introduced into the House of Lords on Wednesday June 23.

Mr Knight, 45, who lives in Nottington, Weymouth, said: “The title is something I went and discussed with the Garter at the College of Arms.

“He’s the one who takes part in the ceremony of introduction along with the Black Rod.

“When I first spoke to him I gave him a list of three titles I was interested in – Weymouth, Portland and Chesil – and ‘of Weymouth’ was available.”

He added: “The official title is Baron Knight of Weymouth because all life peers are barons but I’ll be known as a lord.

“It’s quite exciting, the introduction takes place on June 23, which clashes horribly with the England-Slovenia World Cup football match, but these things are important.”

Mr Knight said his ‘of Weymouth’ title was different from Lord Weymouth – the hereditary title for the eldest son of the Marquis of Bath at Longleat, Wiltshire – also known as Lord Bath or Viscount Weymouth.

His introduction to the House of Lords will be supported by the Life Peers, Lord David Puttnam, an Oscar-winning film producer who is now an educationalist, and Lord Andrew Adonis, the former Secretary of State for Transport.

Mr Knight said: “They will have to introduce me in the House of Lords.

“There will be a 15 minute ceremony when the Black Rod, the Garter King of Arms, myself and two supporters are accepted into the chamber to take the oath of allegiance to the Queen.”

He added: “There have been a number of interesting suggestions about what I could be the Lord of but I’m very pleased that I’ve been able to be Lord Knight of Weymouth.

“I won’t be a Lord until June 23, I hope to sustain my association with Weymouth and south Dorset but that’s something me and the people of Weymouth will need to sort out – how much they want to involve me in things and what I can do.”