NI local elections are postponed

Local elections have been put back until 2011

Local elections in Northern Ireland will be postponed for two years until 2011, the secretary of state has said.

Shaun Woodward said he had agreed to the request from Stormont ministers as an exceptional, but justified step.

New local government boundaries will be introduced in 2009 - reducing the number of councils from 26 to 11.

Mr Woodward said he would do everything "within my power to facilitate local politicians in local government to work together for the people of NI".