BETWEEN 200 AND 300 people protested against the opening of a Marie Stopes clinic on Belfast’s Great Victoria Street this morning.

Pro-life group Precious Life organised the demonstration ahead of the noon opening of the sexual health clinic which will provide medical abortions to women in line with Northern Ireland’s legislation.

Other services on offer at the centre include emergency contraception, HIV testing, STI treatment and ultrasound scanning.

Northern Irish law only permits abortion up to nine weeks in order to preserve the life of the mother, or if continuing with the pregnancy will result in serious risks to the physical or mental health of the mother.

Marie Stopes International asked pro-choice groups not to organise any counter-protests. The organisation suggested supporters should use social and traditional media to show solidarity.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s Health Minister, Edwin Poots, said that the clinic will be monitored and regulated, and he is seeking advice on how to do this.