In the North a bomb has been recovered by Police investigating dissident republican activity in Belfast.

Officers found a holdall with an improvised explosive inside in the west of the city. A man (22) has been arrested.

The bomb is being forensically examined and Police appealed for anybody with information to contact them.

The North's Justice Minister David Ford said good police work had potentially saved lives.

"The policing operation which led to the discovery of a significant explosive device and subsequent arrest has undoubtedly prevented the misery that those criminals had hoped for" he said.

The device was found in a built-up residential area.