Trouble breaks out at flashpoint

Roads in parts of east Belfast were closed for a period after trouble flared in the area late on Tuesday.

Police diverted traffic from the Albertbridge Road and Templemore Avenue areas when rival crowds of youths threw broken bricks, bottles and stones.

The citybound lane of the Newtownards Road at Templemore Avenue was also blocked.

As the PSNI helicopter flew overhead, police and community representatives attempted to calm the situation.

The trouble began at a flashpoint at the bottom of the Newtownards Road.

An hour later the road was covered with bricks from a nearby building site.

Traffic had difficulty getting from Templemore Avenue to the end of the road because of the debris.

The trouble started between unionist and nationalist youths in the area, but the police quickly became the focus of attention with dozens of bricks and stones thrown at their Land Rovers.

However, they blocked off the road and with the help of community representatives restored calm.