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American GI's were warned to stay away from sex-hungry women in Northern Ireland, according to new research.

Details of tight vetting and bar-room bans have emerged in a University of Ulster study.

Checks were carried out to make sure any potential brides were suitable for marriage to troops based in Northern Ireland during the Second World War, according to researcher Leanne McCormick.

She said: "Girls invited to events such as dances were vetted. The authorities did not want troops mixing with women who were deemed unsuitable or whose morals were in question."

At one stage GI's accounted for a fifth of the Northern Ireland population, with thousands attending regular weekend dances in search of love.

Records held in Washington revealed military chiefs feared their men keeping company with local girls.

"The concern was always about the health of the troops which led to women being controlled and regulated," said Ms McCormick. "Troops were warned of the dangers of venereal disease."

The researcher will present her report - One Yank and They're Off - during a three-day conference at the University's Magee campus in Londonderry starting on Thursday.

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