Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has visited the 160-acre Lisanelly Army base in Omagh to discuss the future regeneration of the site.

Accompanied by Education Minister Caitriona Ruane and MP Pat Doherty, Mr McGuinness also met with local councillors Tom Buchanan, Bert Wilson, Josephine Deehan, Seamus Shields, Sean Begley, Declan McAleer and Johnny McLaughlin.

All the delegates took a tour of the site, led by Council Chairman Martin McColgan.

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The Executive representatives then heard a presentation from Omagh District Council and the Western Education and Library Board. Both are developing plans for the site.

The Deputy First Minister said: "The gifting of former military bases is an issue high on the political agenda."

"Sites such as Lisanelly, previously a symbol of division, now have the potential to be transformed into beacons of hope for this and future generations and I can think of no sphere more appropriate than that of education as a means of achieving this goal," added Mr McGuinness.

Minister Ruane said: "The creation of an educational village here would provide excellent educational facilities for more than 3,000 pupils in a more co-ordinated and effective way than is possible now."

They also met representatives from Omagh Chamber of Commerce and a number of local community groups.

(PR)