Hard-line Protestants may try to wreck the Orange Order’s plans to avoid any trouble at the annual Drumcree marching dispute, it was claimed today.

Portadown Orangemen today pledged to remain peaceful as they set off on Northern Ireland’s volatile loyalist parade.

Security and police forces are preparing for operations ahead of tomorrow's Orange order parade at Drumcree in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid was expected to meet senior loyalists in Belfast today to discuss growing sectarian tensions in the city.