Army technical officers in Talbot Street, Belfast on Friday night after small bomb explosion

HUNDREDS of Christmas revellers had to be be evacuated on Friday evening following an explosion in Belfast City Centre.

Workers out for dinner and drinks were forced to flee restaurants and bars in the Cathedral Quarter when a device partially exploded.

It is understood the device was left at the rear of St Anne’s Cathedral just off lower Donegall Street.

A number of apartments in the area have also been evacuated as police closed off the area to pedestrians and motorists.

The device went off as police were clearing the area.

Army technical officers have been tasked to the scene to examine the device.

A police sniffer dog has been sent in to the area to try and determine if there are any further devices.

At this stage their are no reports of any injuries.

DUP MLA Jonathan Craig has condemned the attack.

“This was an absolutely reckless incident in Belfast. There was an explosion while the area was being cleared.

“It’s a miracle no one was injured.”