Larne bunting move 'anti-British'

The protest took place outside Larne's council offices

Orangemen in Larne have staged a protest outside the County Antrim town's council offices.

They claim its decision not to erect red, white and blue bunting ahead of 12 July is "anti-British".

The council said lodge members were free to put it up themselves, but they had to abide by equality laws.

Bobby McKee, Larne's DUP mayor, said: "We in the council are left with no alternative. We don't make the rules, we have to abide by them."

Mr McKee said if the Orangemen wanted "to change the rules, they'd have to go where the power sits to do that."

The Orange Order's grand secretary, Drew Nelson, said: "We just want to be treated equally with other communities and have our festival recognised as a legitimate one, which the council should help with."

Speaking after the protest at Smiley Buildings, a council spokesperson said they had asked the Orangemen to apply for funding which covers "cultural activities," and claimed the bunting could be paid for out of this.