Counting of votes to begin in NI Euro elections

Counting is due to begin this morning in the North's European elections, with Sinn Féin set to make history by topping the poll for the first time.

The party's outgoing MEP, Bairbre de Brun, is expected to be re-elected, while the DUP may be facing its worst-ever result.

Former DUP MEP Jim Allister resigned from the party in protest at the power-sharing agreement with Sinn Féin and is contesting this year's election as a Traditional Unionist Voice candidate.

Diane Dodds is standing for the DUP, with veteran MEP Jim Nicholson representing the UUP and Alban Maginness seeking to pinch a seat for the SDLP if there is a significant split in the unionist vote.