THE annual Apprentice Boys of Derry parade is taking place this morning in Derry.
Organisers say well over 140 bands and Apprentice Boys’ clubs are taking part in the annual parade.
As a result, police will close a number of roads in the city at various times throughout the day as the parade passes through.
A number of smaller parades will take place in the morning, prior to the main parade taking place.
The day started at 8.30 am with “the firing of cannon” on the Walls.
Parent Clubs paraded round the Walls at 9.30 am ahead of a wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph in the Diamond.
The parade will then make its way along Ferryquay Street and Pump Street to Service of Thanksgivin in St Columb’s Cathedal, beginning at 10.30 pm.
Following the midday service, a Pageant Parade will make its way to Craigavon Bridge via London Street, Hawkin Street and Carlisle Road.
The main parade will set off at 12.30 pm.
It will snake its way along Carlisle Road and through the Fountain Estate before crossing Craigavon Bridge to the Waterside where it will continue along Spencer Road.
Then the Apprentic Boys will march to Dungiven Road and around Irish Street estate before making its way along Glendermott Road and Bond Street to May Street, where the parade will conclude.
The return parade will leave May Street around 5 pm and make its way along Clooney Terrace, Spencer Road, Craigavon Bridge, Carlisle Road, the Diamond and Bishop Street before ending at Society Street.
