X Factor contestant Amelia Lily headline’s Belfast’s St Patrick’s Day concert

BELFAST City Council has organised a spectacular carnival procession and free concert, part of a four day St Patrick`s Festival.

The festival starts today, Friday 15 and runs until Monday, March 18.

The St Parick’s Day concert on Sunday, March 17, will feature `X Factor` finalist Amelia Lily and David Julien from `The Voice`.

The carnival procession, featuring participants from all corners of Belfast, will leave the City Hall at 12 noon.

It will make its way out of City Hall grounds into Donegall Square North and Chichester Street, before turning into Victoria Street and finishing alongside the Custom House Square.

Motorists can expect some disruption along the carnival procession route between 11am and 1pm – although this will be kept to a minimum.

Donegall Place, Wellington Street, Donegall Square West, Wellington Place, Donegall Square North and Chichester Street will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the parade, and Victoria Street will be closed while the parade moves along it to Custom House Square.

During the parade, Translink Metro will operate a normal service, although some diversionary pick up and drop off points may occur between 11am and 1pm. For more details visit www.translink.co.uk for updated information.

Drivers should be aware of large volume of pedestrians in and around the Custom House Square, Queen`s Quay and Victoria Street area during the afternoon while the concert and family activities are taking place between 12pm and 3pm. Extreme caution therefore should be exercised in this area.

For further information on Belfast City Council`s St. Patrick`s Festival, and other events around the city, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events