Ex-members of Ian Paisley’s Democratic Unionists who quit over his power-sharing deal with Sinn Féin are in talks about forming a new alliance, it emerged today.

Two more of the Reverend Ian Paisley’s councillors in his Ballymena heartland resigned tonight over his decision to enter government with Sinn Féin.

A row has broken out in the North over Ballymena town council's decision to supply councillors with water from Co Donegal.