New march crisis looms in Derry

Urgent attempts were being made last night to break the stalemate between Catholic residents in Londonderry and Protestant Apprentice Boys as the city came a step closer to another march crisis.

As Catholics prepared to demonstrate on the city walls during the Protestant group's parade on Saturday, last-ditch attempts were being made to defuse the crisis.

Donncha McNiallais, of Bogside Residents Group, said: "Following on from events of 10 August we made several approaches to them and they ignored us. The protest will be peaceful. The responsibility for what happens this coming weekend rests solely with the Apprentice Boys." Martin McGuinness, of Sinn Fein, appealed for the Apprentice Boys to "make the leap of faith" and talk to the residents.

Around 200 Apprentice Boys have applied to police to walk the mile-long route along the city walls, starting at 9.30am. The residents' protest is scheduled to begin at 8.30am.