Washington meeting for NI leaders

The two men are to meet George Bush on Friday

Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers are to meet congressmen and senators later as they continue their investment drive in the US.

Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness will be the guests of honour at a special lunch at Capitol Hill in Washington.

Senator Ted Kennedy and Congressman Richard Neal will be among the politicians waiting to greet them.

They are hoping to attract interest ahead of a US-backed investment conference set for Belfast next spring.

The two Northern Ireland politicians are due at the White House on Friday where they will meet President Bush.

On Wednesday, Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness switched on the Nasdaq electronic stock market in New York's Times Square on the third day of their US trip.