British bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion on a blast bomb found this morning close to Drumcree Bridge in Portadown.

Petrol bombs were hurled over the barricade at Drumcree in Northern Ireland overnight but the RUC today described the trouble as ‘‘minor’’.

Orangemen have again been turned away from the blockades at Drumcree bridge.

The Orangemen prayed before setting off on their march towards Drumcree Church for their annual Battle of the Somme commemoration service.

A major security operation has begun in Portadown with 600 troops taking