Police in the North say a device which was made safe at a Derry hotel - which was due to host a PSNI recruitment event - has now been declared as viable.

It was initially thought to be an elaborate hoax, but after further investigation was found to be viable.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said, "this device had the potential to harm anyone in the area and those involved have shown total disregard for human life. We are obviously very thankful that this attack was thwarted and that no one was killed or seriously injured."

The Waterfoot Hotel had been due to host one of three PSNI recruitment events today.

However, the Derry event has been deferred until next Saturday.

The two other recruitment events, in Belfast and Omagh, are going ahead having also been subject to security alerts yesterday.