BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw and Burnley-born colleague Shahid Malik have each won top prizes at the House Magazine's Annual Parliamentary Awards.

The Foreign Secretary was made Commons Minister of the Year, while Dewsbury MP Mr Malik picked up a gong for the Best Maiden Speech.

The awards are chosen by a secret ballot of all MPs.

Mr Straw's close friend the late Robin Cook was named Parliamentarian of the Year.

Mr Malik's speech detailed how he was bullied and beaten up when he first went to Burnley's Barden High School.

Mr Straw said: "I was absolutely delighted to get this award -- especially as it comes from my peers in a secret ballot of MPs.

"I was given it by former Conservative Cabinet Minister Lord Wakeham at a special reception at the National Liberal Club near Westminster.

"I would like to think I got it for respecting Parliament and taking every opportunity to come to the House of Commons and make statements and answer questions from MPs."

Baroness Ashton from the Department of Constitutional Affairs won the award for Lords Minister of the Year.