The first leg of a controversial 12th of July march in north Belfast has passed off without incident.

The parade passed the contentious Ardoyne shops area without incident.

The calm atmosphere was a marked difference from 2013 when a ban on marching led to five night of violence in which over 300 were arrested.

Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers today warned the youth of Belfast that involvement in trouble surrounding marching season could have a potentially devastating effect on their lives.

“Young people in north Belfast who might get caught up in a riot could get injured but also they could potentially end up with a criminal record, which could blight more or less the whole of the rest of their life.

“They do have choices, there’s nothing that says they have to get involved in this kind of protest,” De Villiers said.

The Orange Order has called on its members to avoid confrontation on this - the biggest date in the north's marching season.

Sinn Fein MLA Gerry Kelly was positive following the peaceful moring and spoke of his hope that the air of peace could carry through the day.

“I think everybody as glad to see that we got to this point, I think we need to build on it.

“It was as quiet as could be expected and then we have the rest of the day, and I’m very hopeful and believe that we’ll have a quiet day throughout the day as well,” Kelly said.