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One of Belfast’s most popular bars has been attacked in a paint bomb attack and millionaire owner Peter Lavery does not know why.

Mr Lavery, 54, was celebrating the success of Northern Ireland press photographers when he received news of the attack at The Hudson.

He said: “I got a call to say The Hudson had been targeted in a paint bomb attack. My manager said a man had come to the door with a five litre can of white paint.

"Then he asked if he was at The Hudson in Belfast city centre and then he just lashed the paint all over the place.

"It hit the doors and windows and the pavement and one of our staff got some paint on their clothes too.

“I have no idea why he did that. He ran off and left the place in a real mess.

“I was attending the Northern Ireland Press Photographer of the Year awards at 10 Square and had to leave and go right over to The Hudson.

“There was paint everywhere and we are all puzzled as to why it was done to us."

Mr Lavery, a former bus driver who won £10 million on the Lottery , has spent the last two decades investing the money in local businesses including The Hudson Bar.

He added: "Maybe someone was refused entry, maybe someone had to be asked to leave, maybe someone just doesn’t like the bar or me, I just don’t know.

“It was very annoying but I was relieved that no one was hurt or injured and we were back in business hours later after a mammoth clean-up job.

“I believe a man was stopped in the west of the city by police and is helping them with their inquiries.

“Whatever the intention of this person, we are still in business and the place has been busy all day and tonight.

"We just cleaned up and carried on. We’ll let the PSNI deal with the rest.”

In an earlier version of this story we incorrectly said that Mr Peter Lavery was behind the new restaurant venture in Crumlin Road Gaol. In fact he has no connection to it. The restaurant is run solely by Crumlin Road Gaol. We are happy to clarify the position.