North Belfast security alert ends

A security alert in north Belfast has ended following a report of a suspicious object in the area.

Homes in the Workman Avenue area were evacuated by police and cordons were in place on the Springfield Road at the junctions of Springhill Parade and Elswick Street.

Ammunition Technical Officers (ATO) attended the scene and carried out a controlled explosion on the item, which has been taken away for forensic examination. Police have described it as an "elaborate hoax".

Residents who were forced to evacuate have returned home and all roads have reopened.

Sinn Féin councillor Claire Canavan condemned those responsible and said it caused "significant disruption" to the community, as local facilities were opened to accommodate evacuated residents.