Pipe bombs thrown at homes

Police are investigating a motive for pipe bomb attacks on two homes in Ballymena, County Antrim.

Army bomb experts were called to deal with the devices on Sunday night.

They were thrown through the living room windows of the houses in Cushendall Road and Clonavon Street but failed to explode.

It is understood small children were in both houses at the time.

A number of familes were moved from their homes while the devices were made safe.

The use of pipe bombs is mainly associated with loyalist paramilitaries but there is nothing at this stage to suggest a sectarian motive for the attack.

Police say the man who threw the devices made off in an old style blue Ford Escort which was parked nearby.

The car, with two occupants already on board, then drove off countrywards along the Cushendall Road.

The police have appealed for witnesses to contact them.