DUP holds talks with Blair on North

Afterwards, party leader Ian Paisley described the discussions as a very profitable beginning and a good start from the DUP's point of view.

The DUP delegation discussed its proposals for reviving devolved government in the North, outlined in a 24-page document.

It contains several options for power sharing with Sinn Féin once the issue of paramilitary violence has been addressed.

Mr Paisley said the document would be released at a news conference tomorrow and that the delegation would return to Downing Street for further talks with Mr Blair in due course.

Last week, a DUP delegation met the Taoiseach and three of his ministers at the Irish Embassy and indicated they may wish to reach a political deal.