A peace wall at an interface in north Belfast has been removed by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).

The brick wall was built in the Ardoyne area around 30 years ago.

It has now been replaced by a family friendly landscaped area and railings with decorative panels, which local residents helped to design.

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, said: "Government can set ambitious targets to reduce and remove all interface barriers by 2023 and put in place strategies and resources, but no progress will be made without the support of the local community.

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"Government must take an active role and create the conditions and circumstances which makes progress possible. The work of community based organisations like TASCIT supported by the Housing Executive, the International Fund for Ireland and others, has brought about real and meaningful change in this community.

"Dismantling a wall 30 years after it was built does more than just transform the physical landscape. It sends out a strong signal progress is being made and the most encouraging thing isn't the bricks of an 8 foot wall lying flat on the ground but the fact it was a community led decision. Real peace is not made by bricks and mortar but by building respect and trust. As a result of conversations and relationships formed and developed within the community we can achieve greater reconciliation, create better educational, training and employment opportunities, improve access to essential services and deliver a better quality of life for those living in interface areas."

(CD/LM)