LGBT lights agreed after new Ards and North Down council vote

The passed motion will see Ards Town Hall lit up in rainbow colours

Ards Town Hall will be illuminated in rainbow colours to mark LGBT Awareness Week after a second vote overturned a previous decision at Ards and North Down Council.

Nineteen councillors voted in favour while 18 voted against the move.

Two members of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - Alistair Cathcart and Tom Smith - were among those who voted for the lights.

A similar motion had been rejected by a majority of councillors in September.

At that time, Mr Smith voted against his party, which had proposed an amendment that affirmed the council's recognition of positive contributions made by all sections of society.

In the December council meeting vote on the proposal, the DUP proposed another amendment that the building be lit in pink instead.

It said the colour was that of the international campaign and the rainbow colours were politicised, but that amendment fell.

Andrew Muir, an Alliance councillor and former mayor, said it was a "small step" on a "symbolic issue"

The passing of the vote this time around means that Ards Town Hall will be lit up in rainbow colours to mark LGBT Awareness Week next May.

Alliance Party councillor Andrew Muir said it was a "close vote" but that he hoped the council could now move forward.

"It's a small step but it's a symbolic issue that we as a council can show our understanding and our compassion for the LGBT community, and bring awareness of the issues they face," said the former North Down mayor.