Thousands gather for Last Saturday parades across Northern Ireland

Thousands of members of the Royal Black Institution and supporters are taking part in the organisation's annual Last Saturday demonstrations across Northern Ireland.

The parades, which mark the traditional finale of the summer marching season, are being held in five locations, with County Down's flagship demonstration taking place in Newry.

About 17,000 members and supporters are attending events throughout the day, while 300 marching bands are participating in parades and demonstrations.

The event remains one of the most significant dates in the Royal Black Institution's calendar.

The parade in Newry got under way after 12:00 BST.

Demonstrations are also taking place in Larne, Dungannon, Dundonald and Coleraine, attracting participants from across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and overseas.

Large crowds lined routes as lodges paraded through their respective host towns, ahead of the traditional platform proceedings and religious address, before they make their way back along the return route.

The Sovereign Grand Master, Rev William Anderson, addressed members during the day's proceedings.

Senior officers are also expected to acknowledge the efforts of host committees, volunteers and the hundreds of bandsmen and women taking part in the day's events.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader Gavin Robinson was among those attending the demonstrations on Saturday.

He spoke to BBC News NI following a week which saw unionist parties and the Orange Order call for the Parades Commission to stand down, after a court case highlighted mistakes over its ruling on the Orange Order's Drumcree parade.

Robinson said the DUP hoped to raise their concerns at Westminster this week.

"My colleague Carla Lockhart (MP for Upper Bann) intends to table an urgent question, she wants to bring it on to the floor of Westminster itself, so there will be plenty of opportunity for political discussion and political consideration of the damage and difficulty that has been caused over the last week," he said.

The Royal Black Institution has about 17,000 members. While most are based in Northern Ireland, there are preceptories in Scotland, England, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

The institution was founded in Ireland in 1797, two years after the formation of the Orange Order. It describes itself as being based on the teachings of Holy Scripture and committed to the furtherance of the Christian message of the Cross.

Members are known as Sir Knights.

The organisation's two principal annual demonstrations are the Sham Fight on 13 July and the Last Saturday demonstration at the end of August.

Police in Belfast have said there will be an impact on traffic.

Drivers and those not attending are advised to avoid the areas and take an alternative route if possible.

In north Belfast, the parade began at about 9:15 BST at Crumlin Road before proceeding to Carlisle Circus, Clifton Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Square and conclude at Linenhall Street.

The parade will travel the same route in return from Linenhall Street beginning at about 17.15 BST.

Another parade began in West Belfast Orange Hall and travelled along Shankill Road, Peters Hill, North Street and Royal Avenue to York Street. At 17.30 BST the parade will return via the same route.

In east Belfast, the main parade started around 9:15 BST on Templemore Avenue moving along the Newtownards Road, Bridge End, Queens Quay and onto Station Street. The return parade at 17.30 BST will follow the same route in reverse.