The DUP's Nelson McCausland loves to hit the streets to drum up support for his party before an election – but this is one time he may have wished he had stayed at home.

The Social Development Minister is believed to have lost three teeth and broken his nose while out canvassing last week.

The North Belfast MLA is understood to have fallen on concrete steps. A DUP spokesman said Mr McCausland remained in "reasonable spirits" but had taken a "nasty fall" while out electioneering in north Belfast.

The injuries meant he missed his ministerial question time in the Assembly yesterday, as well as Sinn Fein calls for him to stand down from office pending an inquiry into allegations of housing 'gerrymandering' in north Belfast.

Belfast Telegraph