Nationalists and loyalists reach deal on Belfast parade

Nationalist residents in north Belfast have reached an historic deal with local loyalists that both sides hope will lead to a peaceful marching season this summer.

The two sides have agreed to significantly scale down both the number of loyalists involved in an Orange Order march through Ardoyne this Friday and the number of nationalists who will turn out to protest.

The agreement was reached between the Ardoyne Parades Dialogue Group and the North Belfast Parades Forum, which includes representatives of the Orange Order.

Last July's Tour of the North march in Ardoyne led to violence and rioting and there is hope that the agreement for this Friday night could serve as a template for a similar deal in relation to this July's parade.