Television presenter Eamonn Holmes has described his native Belfast as a city where lawless thugs are allowed to get away with loutish behaviour.

He said the Northern Ireland capital's streets were covered with the vomit of drunks and litter.

He told BBC Radio Ulster on Monday that he was a resident of Belfast, paid his rates there and sent his children to school in the city.

Holmes says there should be a Northern Ireland president

"It is my city and I'm not talking as someone who just occasionally passes through it," he said.

"Drink and drugs and the lack of anyone doing anything about the situation is part of the problem.

"This came about because I hosted the most heart-warming ceremony last week - Making a Difference by the BBC.

"The BBC hand out these awards to people who make a difference to the community - they reward good citizenship."

'Tackle issues'

The National Lottery presenter said Northern Ireland should not always listen to those who "shouted the loudest and banged the drum".

"Why are we not rewarding the good citizens - the people who are sorting out the mess that is going on.

"Basically, as an electorate we have to ask ourselves the question of politicians, of how much the whole system is in hock to sectarianism and when are we going to get our nose out of it and vote for a party not based on religion but someone who is going to tackle issues."

There seems to be a group of people in this society which can create crime, can smash up bus shelters and wee in street corners

Eamonn Holmes

Holmes, who has been in broadcasting for more than 20 years, said week after week he witnessed glass bus shelters "disappearing" on the Ormeau Road after being vandalised.

"Why are bus shelters made from glass in this city? Why is there no sense of citizenship instilled in people. My kids would not do that in a thousand years and if they did, they would have me to answer to.

"There is not a pride in being northern Irish, there is a problem with being northern Irish. There are an awful lot of people who feel they do not belong here, for whatever reason."

Speed camera

Holmes, 41, said there needed to be a president-style figure, similar to that in the Republic of Ireland.

The presenter said there was a big problem with "not having a proper police force".

"There seems to be a group of people in this society which can create crime, can smash up bus shelters, wee in street corners... burn, loot, riot and do whatever they want and they will never be brought to book.

"If I drive down the Knock dual-carriageway and I'm flashed by a speed camera, I have to go to court.

"The easy-pickings in Northern Ireland are the law-abiding people - the people who pay their TV licence and one year forget about doing it and they have the shame of being caught out."

Holmes has three children from a previous marriage, while girlfriend Ruth Langsford gave birth to his son Jack in February.

Holmes began his broadcasting career at Ulster Television, and hosted the ITV company's nightly news programme at the age of 21.

In 1986, he launched BBC One's daytime line-up by presenting phone-in show Open Air, before becoming a sports presenter on Breakfast News.