The EU Commission says a hard border can only be avoided if Northern Ireland stays in the single market after Brexit.

A position paper sent by the EU to the British government says the north should also stay in the customs union.

It says this is the only way that the common travel area can be maintained, and the Good Friday Agreement protected.

Sinn Féin says the paper is a sign the Commission supports the idea of securing special status for Northern Ireland within the EU.

It comes as the British Government announced that the 'exit day' will be 11pm on the 29th March 2019.