Two people were arrested during a protest against a visit to a County Down village by an assembly committee which included two members of Sinn Fein.

Eggs were thrown and police had to restrain some protestors after the agriculture committee arrived to tour the staunchly unionist village of Portavogie.

Some local people also criticised the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Rev Ian Paisley, who chairs the committee, for accompanying Sinn Fein.

The committee was there to hear about the problems suffered by the local fishing industry which is trying to cope with severe catch quota cuts.

Trouble flared when a minibus carrying committee members arrived at the harbour.

Around 40 quayside protestors, including some fishermen and their families, heckled the two Sinn Fein representatives on the committee - Francie Molloy and Gerry McHugh.

Police form cordon

Police quickly moved to form a cordon to keep protestors back, and the committee was able to tour the harbour and talk to fishermen's representatives.

But scuffles broke out as the minibus was being driven to the far side of the harbour when the eggs were thrown and the arrests made.

Protestors said that Sinn Fein would not be allowed to walk freely around Portavogie, while they were prevented from marching down the mainly nationalist Garvaghy Road in Portadown, County Armagh.

Contentious march

That march is contentious because the Protestant Orange Order see it as their right to march down the road, a traditional 12 July route, but this is opposed by many nationalist residents.

During the Portavogie visit, some of the protestors heckled Mr Paisley and his son, Ian Paisley junior, for walking beside Sinn Fein members.

However, Ian Paisley said the DUP was not going to be stopped from representing its members by the presence of Sinn Fein.

He told protesting women: "I'm here to try and keep your husbands in jobs."

Committee members are also meeting fishing crews in neighbouring Ardglass.