Having been assured this week that the only band taking part in the evening parade will be the village flute band, Carnlough Residents' Coalition withdrew its objection.

The group had been alarmed at an erroneous Parades Commission website listing which indicated that 12 bands would march in the village on the evening after the Co Antrim demonstration in Ballyclare.

In a statement issued on Monday the group said, "After monitoring the situation over the weekend and seeing there is new information on the Parades Commission website, which now states there is only one band parading and it is the Carnlough band, not the Glenarm band, this is a very welcome change indeed.

"With this in mind there will be no protest on Saturday."

Last year republicans staged a silent protest when RBP 377 paraded in Carnlough on the last Saturday in August, led by the Sir Edward Carson flute band, from Glenarm. The group objects to the Glenarm band parading in Carnlough.

Last week Carnlough Residents' Coalition complained that neither the Royal Black Institution nor the Orange Order had responded to a plea for talks about parades in Carnlough and Glenarm.

While there is no indication that dialogue has taken place in the interim, Sinn Fein's spokesman in east Antrim, Oliver McMullan, said, "I think both sides have been very sensible in their approach to this."

He added, "I must congratulate the parade organisers and the local lodge for opting for the Carnlough band. The residents' coalition have also taken a sensible approach.

"This augers well hopefully for dialogue in the future."

RBP 377 will join with thousands of Sir Knights from 82 preceptories at this Saturday's demonstration in Ballyclare, where the host district chapter will have the honour of leading the parade, followed by the Lisburn, Ballymena, Antrim, Larne and Ballymoney chapters.

The procession - one of six across the Province - will begin at 12.30pm along Rashee Road, Charles Drive, Ballyeaston Road, Main Street and Mill Road to the demonstration field at Sixmilewater Park.

During the day a street collection will take place for Diabetes UK/Research NI - the Royal Black Institution's nominated charity this year. The last three charity appeals have raised almost £250,000, assisting the work of Chest, Heart and Stroke, MS Research NI and Open Doors Ministries.

A souvenir programme/booklet will be on sale priced £1, with all proceeds going to the NI Hospice, NI Chest, Heart and Stroke and the Ulster Cancer Foundation.

Antrim County Grand Master Sir Knight Vencil Crymble said, "We would like to extend a warm welcome to our many visitors from Scotland, England and southern Ireland and we invite everyone to join with the county officers at the platform in the demonstration field for a religious service conducted by Wor Sir Knight the Rev S R McKay."