Residents of Ballycarry and Whitehead gathered at the War Memorial in Ballycarry on 5 May to mark 85 years since the Belfast Blitz air raids of 1941.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Jackson Minford attended the ceremony. Lord Lieutenant of County Antrim David McCorkell KStJ laid a wreath. The Mayor and a representative from Whitehead Royal British Legion followed with their wreaths placed under the memorial panel listing Blitz victims.

Pupils from Ballycarry Primary School laid poppy crosses on the graves of the Hutchinson family and John McCready in Templecorran Cemetery.

Six members of the Hutchinson family died in the 16 April 1941 raid: William, Sarah, Lily, Sadie, Rita, Martin and May Hutchinson. May Hutchinson was aged two. John McCready was aged 85.

Councillor Minford stated the event commemorated losses from the Mid and East Antrim area reflected at local graves.

Rev Nigel Kirkpatrick of St John's Parish Church led the ceremony and noted the graves serve as a reminder of civilian losses in conflict.