Former minister Eric Pickles will become a knight, Downing Street announces

Mr Pickles will become Sir Eric

Eric Pickles, politician

(Getty)

Former communities secretary Eric Pickles is to receive a knighthood, Downing Street has announced.

Mr Pickles will be given the honour for his services in the Cabinet, as an MP, and before that, in local government.

Mr Pickles previously chaired the Conservative party and before becoming an MP was the leader of Bradford Council.

He was removed from his Communities Secretary post in the reshuffle after the election and now holds a special post as anti-corruption tsar.

He will become known as Sir Eric.