Flashpoint volunteers appeal

Last summer saw almost nightly street violence in flashpoint areas

Volunteers are being sought to monitor sectarian interface areas in Northern Ireland during the summer.

The group Mediation Network said it was looking for people who wanted to help maintain order and improve relations.

Last summer saw almost nightly street violence in flashpoint areas of east and north Belfast.

Project organiser Peter O'Reilly said on Sunday that both communities would see the volunteers as "honest brokers".

"Quite often, one of the difficulties people have in managing situations is that they don't actually trust that people on the other side are doing their bit," he said.

We have found that the presence of monitors has helped people have the confidence that others are actually working at trying to manage the situation."

The Mediation Network is an organisation which aims to encourage individuals and agencies to transform old approaches to conflict.