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Two separate security alerts in Banbridge and Londonderry, which started following the discovery of suspicious objects, have now ended.

Both were declared elaborate hoaxes.

The police said they received a report of a suspicious object being left outside a property in the Oak Lodge area of Banbridge and another suspicious object being discovered in the Skeoge Link Road on the outskirts of Derry on Thursday.

A number of homes were evacuated and several roads closed in both areas for a time.

The police said that examinations were carried out on both objects and both have been declared elaborate hoaxes.

Both objects have since been taken away for further forensic examination, the police said.

The police said that a number of residents who were evacuated from their homes in Derry and Banbridge have been permitted to return.

All roads that were closed in relation to both alerts have since reopened.