Thousands to take to streets for Orange parades

Up to 500,000 people are expected to take to the streets of the North today as the Orange Order marching season reaches its pinnacle.

July 12 parades are being held at 18 venues across the North – taking place this year on the 13th because the 12th was a Sunday – with hundreds of bands and members of hundreds of orange lodges marching, and thousands lining the routes to watch.