Police in the North hopeful of peaceful Orange parade

Police in the North say they're hoping for a peaceful Orange parade in Belfast tonight but have contingency plans put in place in the event of violence.

In what's been heralded as an historic development in the city, agreement has been reached between the Order and nationalist residents in the Ardoyne area.

Months of talks and consultations led to this understanding which means the Order restricting its march past Ardoyne to between fifty and seventy-five Orangemen in two lodges and one band playing a drumbeat only.

In return, Ardoyne residents will stage only a token protest with leading Republicans pledge to do all they can to keep the peace.

It's understood, however, there are some on both sides who oppose the deal, including dissident Republicans in Ardoyne and Loyalist paramilitaries on the Orange side.

The police have water cannon and British soldiers on stand-by in case of violence.