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Thousands take part in city march Police attacked with petrol bombs
(10 minutes later)
Thousands of Apprentice Boys have taken part in their annual parade in Londonderry on Saturday. Police have been attacked with petrol bombs after the Apprentice Boys' annual parade in Londonderry on Saturday.
Prior to the lunch-time parade, local Apprentice Boys marched around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond. Police said they were attacked in the city centre. Eight people have been arrested for public order offences.
A religious service at St Columb's Church of Ireland Cathedral followed. However, police paid tribute to parade organisers and said that the event passed without major incident.
In the main parade, about 15,000 Apprentice Boys and spectators accompanied by 120 bands marched through the city centre. In the main parade, about 120,000 Apprentice Boys and spectators accompanied by 120 bands marched through the city centre.
There were no incidents during the parade, which took several hours to pass. Earlier, local Apprentice Boys marched around the city walls before laying wreaths for war victims at the Diamond.
The governor of the Apprentice Boys, William Allen, said this would be his last year leading the organisation and he hoped the day would be remembered as a peaceful one. Tribute
"We have been having peaceful parades over the last three or four years and I would like it to continue," he said. Chief Inspector Chris Yates paid tribute to the marshals and local community representatives for their work on the day.
"It is very important for the citizens and the city itself. Anyone that comes to cause trouble only destroys the day and we look on it as a family day out as well." He also commended community, civic and business leaders contributed during the weeks of planning.
There have been appeals for calm and police have warned they will deal with anyone involved in illegal drinking or any unruly behaviour.
The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688.The parade celebrates the actions of Protestant Apprentice Boys who shut the city gates against the forces of Catholic King James in December 1688.