Apprentice Boys of Derry stage annual parade

A loyal order parade in north Belfast has passed off without incident.

Around 50 Protestant Apprentice Boys walked past shops in the nationalist Ardoyne area on Saturday ahead of the main Relief of Derry celebrations.

Two nationalist Ardoyne residents' groups held separate but peaceful protests.

About 15,000 people are in Londonderry for main parade. A suspicious object found on the route at 07:00 BST was declared a hoax.

The main parade gets underway at 12:30 BST.

It is expected to last for several hours as it makes its way around the city centre.

Politicians and church leaders have appealed for a peaceful day and for tolerance and respect on all sides.

In the day's first parade, Apprentice Boys accompanied by several bands will march around the city's historic walls.

After that, they will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph in the Diamond to remember the war dead.

A religious ceremony in St Columb's Church of Ireland Cathedral will be held before a pageant re-enacting the Siege of Derry takes place.

About 140 bands are expected to take part in the main parade, which marks the 323nd anniversary of the ending of the Siege of Derry after 105 days.

Thirteen young Apprentices who were supporters of the Protestant King William III, closed the gates of the walled city to stop the advancing forces of the Catholic King James II's army.