An organisation called Border Communities Against Brexit staged demonstrations at six border locations this afternoon, highlighting the UK's plans to the leave the European Union.

Participants handed out leaflets saying the 'hard Brexit' policy of British Prime Minister Theresa May would mean severe restrictions on those who live in the border region.

They claimed Brexit would mean the introduction of customs check points and would have far-reaching, negative economic consequences.

They said their aim is to force the British and Irish governments to respect the will of the majority of the Northern Ireland electorate who voted to remain in the EU.

One of the largest demonstrations was held at Carrickarnon, between Newry and Dundalk, where the organisers put in place a mock customs building and a lengthy tailback of traffic was created by the crowds.

"We want to stop the reimposition of those border posts," said Border Communities Against Brexit spokesman Declan Fearon.

Mr Fearon runs a furniture business near Jonesboro in South Armagh. His family are well-known in the area.

His niece, Megan, is a Sinn Féin junior minister in the Stormont Assembly.

The protest had the appearances of a campaign driven by nationalists. In their literature the references were to 'The North', rather than Northern Ireland.

Politicians from several parties attended the meeting. The speakers included representatives of businesses from both sides of the border.