Council backs armed forces event

A Belfast City Council committee has voted to give members of the armed forces a civic reception following a homecoming parade later this year.

The proposal was carried by two votes at a meeting of the Strategic Policy and Resources Committee today.

It was backed by unionists but opposed by the SDLP and Sinn Fein, and now has to go before the full council next month for ratification.

A parade to St Anne's Cathedral is to take place on 2 November.

Personnel from the army, navy and RAF returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are to take part.