Tensions run high in the Ardoyne

Tensions were running high in the Ardoyne district of North Belfast tonight as Orangemen returned from the main July 12 demonstration.

Police and the British army mounted one of the heaviest security operations the city had ever seen for a parade, erecting 12ft high barriers to keep rival sides apart.

Nationalist residents were pinned back by the heavy security force presence for four hours.

However as Orangemen made their way back past the Ardoyne shops some stones and bottles were thrown from the nationalist side and there were skirmishes.

Nationalists were angry at the heavy police and British army presence and also the late return of the Orange marchers.

A huge crowd of Loyalists gathered on the Crumlin Road to wait for the Orangemen.

After they passed the Ardoyne area, police Land Rovers moved quickly to seal off the area.