Apprentice Boys parade passes peacefully

Derry breathed a sign of relief tonight after an annual loyalist Apprentice Boys parade passed off without trouble.

Several thousand members of the order and dozens of bands marched through the city centre for their Lundy’s Day march commemorating the shutting of the city gates during the Seige of Derry over 300 years ago.

Police said the event had passed off without incident.

The anniversary is on December 18 – one of the peak Christmas shopping days - but was brought forward because in past years traders have complained the annual event affected business.

This year they were urged to remain open as the event took place after the Apprentice Boys were involved in talks with the Derry Chamber of Commerce, as well as residents from the Bogside.