Bomb hoax ahead of royal visit

Army explosives experts have checked a bomb alert close to Hillsborough Castle, just hours before the Queen was due to make the presentation.

Army explosives experts have checked a bomb alert close to Hillsborough Castle, just hours before the Queen was due to make the presentation.

Part of the Dromore Road near the village was sealed off after a suspicious package was spotted.

A warning call was delivered to the offices of a Belfast newspaper.

An RUC spokeswoman said: "A man claimed a device had been planted at the side of the road. The Army has been alerted, but we cannot say, at this stage, what the device is."

Police and troops had earlier mounted a huge security operation in the area in preparation for the Queen's visit, her first to Northern Ireland since l997.

The RUC said later that the call leading to the search was a hoax.