TEN PSNI OFFICERS were injured last night during loyalist street protests in Belfast over the decision to restrict the flying of the union flag.

One officer was been hospitalised with non-life threatening injuries after police came under attack from a crowd throwing petrol bombs in east Belfast, a PSNI spokesperson confirmed. A car was also set alight.

Two people were arrested.

The protests are part of an ongoing campaign against restrictions on flying the union flag at Belfast City Hall, and further protests are planned for the coming days.

Belfast City Council voted on 3 December to reduce the number of days the union flag flew over the City Hall building from 365 to 15. The original proposal by the nationalist-controlled council would have seen the flag taken down completely; however a compromise motion from the Alliance Party reduced the number of days instead.

Loyalist protesters have taken to the streets for the past month to express their unhappiness with the decision.