Petrol bombs, a hatchet and masonry were among items thrown at police during a third consecutive night of disorder in Ballymena. Officers responded with water cannon, dogs and plastic baton rounds in an attempt to disperse crowds in the Co Antrim town.

Police have been attacked with fireworks, bottles and bricks as violence erupted for a third night in Northern Ireland. The worst of the disorder was in Ballymena, but unrest also spread to other towns on Wednesday evening.

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