POLICE have arrested three people after a number of flags and banners were damaged at the loyalist protest camp at Twaddell Avenue in north Belfast.

The PSNI received reports of the damage just after 7.30 am on Tuesday morning.

As a result two men, aged 21 and 22, and a 20-year-old woman were arrested shortly afterwards.

They are currently assisting police with their inquiries at Musgrave Street PSNI station.

The police say they are treating the incident as a hate crime.

Loyalists have been protesting at Twaddell Avenue since last July 12, after the Parades Commission banned an Orange Order parade feeder parade returning to Ligoniel past the Ardoyne shops.