BOLTON West MP Ruth Kelly's career progress has been compared to the speed of a "rocketing pheasant" by a judge at a political awards presentation.

Ms Kelly, who became Economic Secretary to the Treasury in June, was named as the Minister to Watch at the Zurich/Spectator Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, held in London yesterday.

Last year's winner of the Minister to Watch award was the Rt Hon Estelle Morris MP who is now Secretary of State for Education.

One of the judges, MP Boris Johnson, editor of The Spectator magazine, said of Ms Kelly: "One sporting member of the panel has likened the speed and acceleration of her career to a rocketing pheasant."

Ms Kelly has risen rapidly since she was first elected to Parliament in 1996.

The judges -- made up of political editors of national newspapers and television channels -- chose Northern Ireland's First Minister, the Rt Hon David Trimble MP, as the Parliamentarian of the Year.

Boris Johnson added: "It seems extraordinary that the judges have not previously recognised David Trimble's achievements."

Five other awards were handed out at the presentation at London's Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Among those honoured were Elizabeth Filkin, who received an award for her zeal as parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, and Norman Baker MP who was named Inquisitor of the Year following his role in the fall of Peter Mandleson.

The awards are now in their 18th year. Ms Kelly was unavailable for comment.