Paisley to open port on last day

Ian Paisley will open the terminal with Martin McGuinness and Alex Salmond

Ian Paisley will spend his last full day as first minister welcoming his Scottish counterpart Alex Salmond to Northern Ireland.

Along with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, they will officially open the new £37m ferry terminal in Belfast.

Stena Line's new Belfast terminal is the most expensive engineering project in the port's history.

The new port has brought NI closer to Scotland by reclaiming 50 acres from Belfast lough.

Mr Salmond will sail into the new Victoria Terminal Four to be greeted by Mr Paisley and Mr McGuinness.

Mr Paisley is due leave office on Thursday when the assembly is due to meet to nominate a new first and deputy first minister.

However, behind the scenes negotiations are continuing to ensure the joint nominations take place amid concern that Sinn Féin may derail Peter Robinson's election as first minister.