British demilitarisation to be completed ahead of schedule

The British army has said its demilitarisation programme in the North should be completed a full year ahead of schedule.

The army said today that it expected work to dismantle watchtowers in south Armagh and elsewhere to be completed by May of this year.

Meanwhile, British army troop levels in the North are also set to fall to their lowest level since the 1970s when a battalion based in Bessbrook withdraws by the end of the week.

The demilitarisation moves are being implemented following the IRA's declaration of an end to its armed struggle last year.