Police at the scene of a security alert in Newtownabbey after suspicious object found

A SECURITY alert is  underway in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim after the discovery of a suspicious object.

Homes have now been evacuated following the discovery in the Cherrylands/Cloughfern area shortly after 6am.

Army bomb experts are now at the scene of the alert near the former Nortel factory.

The Valley Leisure Centre has been made availabe to evacuated residents.

Monkstown Avenue and Monkstown Road are closed at their junctions with Doagh Road.

Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area.