Sinn Fein has called for an unarmed police service in Northern Ireland.

The party also pledged to forge an alliance for Irish unity as part of its manifesto for the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Sinn Fein issued its 93-page manifesto on Monday ahead of the election in nine days time.

The party also renewed its commitment to work for a united Ireland.

Key commitments included putting pressure on the British and Irish governments to bring changes on policing and justice issues.

Sinn Fein also called on the government to ensure powers are transferred from Westminster to Stormont.

On education there were pledges to increase funding for early years education, end academic selection and create "learning neighbourhoods" to strengthen school and community links.

There was also a commitment to spend £1.2 billion on modernising health services over the next 10 years.

Sinn Fein warned that before any social agendas could be implemented there had to be a political agreement on safeguarding the future of the assembly.

"We have continued to negotiate with the two governments and the unionists to restore the political institutions. We stand firm," said the party's president Gerry Adams.

"Sinn Fein will continue with this approach to get the agreement implemented, to secure equality, a new beginning to policing and further all Ireland progress."