A political activist from Northern Ireland will be ringside for the final blows of the US presidential election campaign on Tuesday night.

Labour Party campaigner Conor McGinn, originally from South Armagh, is heading to Barack Obama's home state of Illinois to join in what he hopes will be a victory party.

The 23-year-old, who works for Labour in the London borough of Islington, has spent the last 10 days campaigning for the Democratic candidate in the crucial swing state of Ohio.

"It is a great opportunity to be involved in making history," said the Camlough man.

"The outcome of this election will have a massive impact on people across the world.

"I think it will be a time of change. The only comparisons I can point to is the Kennedy campaign. Barack Obama is young, vibrant, dynamic and he will be the first black man to be President of America".

Conor is the son of former mayor of Newry and Mourne Pat McGinn.

"The election in the USA is certainly something special," said his father, a Sinn Fein councillor.

"There is a sense of history, a sense of foreboding change, and certainly to be involved in it should be a memorable occasion".