Security forces deal with Belfast clashes

Police and British soldiers were called to the troubled Ardoyne area of north Belfast this afternoon following sectarian clashes between loyalists and nationalists.

The rival factions began throwing stones, bottles and fireworks at each other near Alliance Avenue at around 2.15pm.

However, the security forces quickly brought the disturbances under control.

Around 50 Ardoyne nationalists and 50 Glenbryn loyalists are believed to have been involved in the clashes.

The loyalist Ulster Political Research Group blamed nationalists for the violence, saying they were trying to goad loyalists into street clashes ahead of an Apprentice Boys parade in the area on Saturday.