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A 62-year-old man has been charged after a police officer was bitten during a security alert in Portrush, County Antrim, on Wednesday night.

The officer was taken to hospital after he was bitten on his left leg.

Police were called to Glentaisie Park at about 19:10 GMT after reports a suspicious object had been found in the area.

Residents were moved from their homes but returned after police declared the object a hoax.

The 62-year-old has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He is due to appear before Coleraine Magistrates' Court on 6 March.

Councillor Mark Fielding said about 50 homes were evacuated and the alert had caused "havoc and inconvenience" for residents.

The object that was found was taken away for further forensic examination.