Security alert underway in Lisburn

A security alert is underway in Lisburn following the discovery of a suspicious object.

Market Place has been closed to traffic between Smithfield Street and Chapel Hill and diversions are in place.

There are no further details at this stage.

UUP deputy mayor Alexander Redpath told UTV the disruption was the last thing retailers in the city centre needed on a busy Saturday afternoon.

"We know very little about the cause of this alert at the moment,” he said.

“I know police are on the scene, but if it turns out that this is malicious and that this is deliberate to try to disrupt business in the town, then it’s a very difficult and unnecessary time for traders.”

He added: “This sort of thing never really happens in Lisburn and I’m very grateful to the police who have responded very quickly and who have set up an exclusion zone to properly identify this.

“But it’s very distressing for the people involved.

"This is incredibly unusual and Lisburn is a city that is set up for shopping and is ready to welcome people - it’s very unfortunate this has happened.”