A Co Armagh family were preparing to leave their home in the Mourneview estate in Lurgan last night following a Loyalist Volunteer Force warning to leave the town before the weekend.
Loyalist sources in the town say the LVF threat is sectarian and was issued after it was known that a member of the Protestant family was in a relationship with a local Catholic.
Members of the family yesterday refused to comment. However, neighbours confirmed that the family intended travelling to England last night. It is believed the Catholic will travel with the family.
The LVF threat has angered residents of the staunchly loyalist Mourneview estate. One resident said last night any support for the LVF in Lurgan had disappeared following the threat.
Tensions are high in the area following the recent murder of Portadown man Richard Jameson, believed to have been carried out by the LVF. Already there has been a backlash focused on its links to the drugs trade.
Loyalist murals in Lurgan and Portadown have been defaced, with the letters LVF being replaced with "DVF - Drugs Volunteer Force". The LVF motto of "Lead the Way" has, in many instances, been replaced by the phrase, "Deal the Way". In Portadown also there have been reports of intimidation and threats in the wake of Mr Jameson's murder.