THERE has been criticism of a unionist motion to name a bridge in CoDerry after Queen Elizabeth.

Causeway Coast and Glens councillor Padraig McShane hit out after details of the plan to mark her 90th birthday emerged this week.

It is understood a motion from UUP councillor William McCandless to rename Sandelford Bridge as the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge will be debated at the council next week.

The motion says: "That Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council commemorate the momentous and notable occasion of HM Queen Elizabeth 2nd's 90th birthday by renaming the Sandelford bridge Coleraine in her honour to the Queen Elizabeth 2nd Bridge."

The motion adds: "Elizabeth has been a constant presence in the lives of the citizens of the UK and the Commonwealth and is deserving of our recognition.”

Mr McShane said he will be opposing the motion.

“It’s an Ulster Unionist election stunt that continues the debasement of the unionist electorate on petty, divisive politics,” he said.

“The councillor worries himself about the Queen while she will hardly gives two fiddlers for him.

Mr McCandless declined to comment when contacted.