The Twelfth 2017

Around 100,000 people have descended on the Co Down village of Scarva for the annual Sham Fight.

The event, hosted by the Royal Black Institution, pits King William against King James in the main attraction of the day – however, dozens of bands also take part in a parade.

UTV’s Paul Clark went along to join the crowds.

Police have said they hope this year's peaceful Twelfth of July can serve as “a model for years to come”.

Detectives said they dealt with “a number of minor incidents” across Northern Ireland and made a small number of arrests.

However they described these as being “very much in the margins” of what has been widely described as the most peaceful Twelfth in some years.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Todd added: “It has been a busy day for police officers who were out and about keeping people safe.

“I would like to place on record my appreciation of the work they have done and acknowledge the hard work of our partners and those within local communities who have contributed to making this a day people were able to enjoy.”

• WATCH: UTV's Twelfth Special

The heat from a massive bonfire in Belfast city centre caused the windows of a nearby apartment block to crack.

Firefighters could be seen on the roof of the 10 story building at Wellwood Street on Tuesday evening, working to try and keep the situation under control.

However as the bonfire raged, several windows were broken and there was also smoke damage to other apartments.

When the crews left, one of the appliances came under attack - but no-one was injured, as Jane Loughrey reports.

One 999 call was being made to the Fire Service every minute at the height of the Eleventh Night, while crews were attacked in Belfast and Larne.

The NIFRS has said it dealt with “an exceptionally busy night”, with 40 bonfire-related incidents between 6pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday.

That represents a 21% increase on last year.

A total of 213 emergency calls were made, with crew attending 133 of them.

The most serious incidents were at Sandy Row and Ravenscroft, where firefighters were required to douse apartments and houses to protect them from the heat and flames.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Alan Walmsley said: “An appliance was attacked in Belfast at around 1am and then in Larne half-an-hour later.

"No fire-fighters were injured.”

Concerns were also raised by displays on some bonfires, with flags and politicians' election posters burned.

A coffin bearing the image of the late deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness also appeared on one east Belfast bonfire, while a racist slur against Celtic footballer Scott Sinclair featured on another.

• WATCH: Firefighters deal with bonfires across Belfast