Irish Santas Scoop World Record

As minor rioting ended in Derry's Bogside following a republican parade at the weekend a parade of a different sort was getting underway elsewhere in the city.

A world record was set when over 13,000 participants donned the trademark white beard and red coat to hit the streets of the walled city for a rally - the largest gathering of Santa Clauses ever held.

The march succeeded in topping the previous effort by Las Vegas to bring the most Santas ever seen in one place at one time - and a Guinness World Record.

One participant said: "Not only have we done it, but we've sent a message around the world. This is officially Santa City."

But at the heart of the seasonal fun was an important message, with proceeds of the walk donated to a range of charities including The Foyle Hospice, Macmillan Cancer Support and Children in the Crossfire.

For a city that once stood divided under sectarian strife for centuries, the rally provided the latest sign that the community is seeking common ground.

However, earlier in the day, others had different targets in their sights as police officers were pelted with bricks and bottles during a republican parade.

Violence broke out after officers moved in to arrest four masked Irish National Liberation Army members in the staunchly nationalist Bogside housing estate, an eyewitness said.

"The crowd were surrounding them and then the police moved in and kids started throwing bricks and bottles," he said.

(BMcC)