The aftermath of rioting in Royal Avenue on Friday night

THE images beaming around the world on Friday night will do little to boost Northern Ireland’s ability to attract more tourists and inward investment.

Hundreds of police officers were on the streets of Belfast city centre but it obvious resources were stretched as rioting erupted in Royal Avenue and North Street.

Loyalists attacked police lines and two officers and one civilian were taken to hospital.

Hijacked car burned by loyalists in north Street

PSNI riot squad used water cannon to push loyalist protestors up the Shankill Road

Smoke billows over Royal Avenue on Friday night

A car is set on fire in north Belfast as loyalists and republicans riot

A bird’s eye view of the stand between loyalists and police in Belfast’s Royal Avenu