Formation parade at Fernhill House on Saturday

UP TO 10,000 people have taken part in a parade to mark the centenary of the formation of the UVF in west Belfast.

A century ago at Fernhill House in the Glencairn area, unionist leader Edward Carson inspected members of the west Belfast section of the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Thousands marched through the Shankill and to Fernhill, many of them are dressed in period costume.

The parade is a re-enactment of one of the key events of the Home Rule crisis.

Some of the drums being played are 100 years old and were used at the event the parade is commemorating.

The Ulster Volunteer Force was formed to resist plans to make Ireland self-governing, but many members went on to fight in the First World War.

Organisers have been putting marching bands and those on parade through their paces for months ahead of today’s parade.