Sinn Fein, SDLP to have electoral pact talks

Sinn Fein and the SDLP are to begin talks next week on possible electoral pacts for the forthcoming British general election.

Sinn Fein national chairman Mitchel McLaughlin said he had received a letter from his SDLP counterpart Alex Atwood agreeing to discussions.

Both parties are believed to be targeting Ulster Unionist Party-held seats in West Tyrone, Fermanagh/South Tyrone, North Belfast and South Belfast.