The ex-UDR man, who has been a civilian for almost ten years, was told by the PSNI of a high threat against him from the Continuity IRA.

But after a police guard was put on his Lurgan home overnight, the former sergeant was advised to get out of the province.

The DUP today said it was aware of a "very high threat" in north Armagh which represented an escalation of the campaign by dissident groups in targeting retired security forces personnel.

Jeffrey Donaldson, who as a privy councillor has access to security information, said the threat has also spread to prison staff.

The Lagan Valley MP said a number of people have recently been forced to move under the SPED (Special Purchase of Evacuated Dwellings) scheme.

A PSNI spokeswoman said it could make no comment on the security of individuals, but the incidents follow warnings from Chief Constable Hugh Orde about dissident republican activity.

The latest threats come after the CIRA claimed responsibility for an attack in which two police officers suffered minor injuries from a bomb hidden under a small rural bridge near the border village of Rosslea.