A fire bomb attack on a Belfast city centre store represents a serious upsurge by dissident republicans, Northern Ireland’s Police Federation warned.

A firebomber might have suffered burns to his face, neck and hands after a device exploded as he was about to plant it in a Belfast city centre store.

Northern Ireland’s top police officer has warned of a surge in dissident republican activity after a bomb partially exploded under a shopping centre.

Virgin Media today said it plans to triple the number of its UK retail stores in a year.