A military veterans' rally has commenced amid tight security in Belfast as hardline republicans protested only yards away.

The London market has closed at an all-time high after the traditional Santa rally boosted blue-chip stocks in the first trading session since the Christmas break.

The Irish grocery market enjoyed its best quarterly period in more than five years, in the past 12 weeks, with combined sales across the main players rising by 2.1% on an annualised basis.

US stocks are creeping further into record territory after a quiet day of trading.