Three windows were also smashed at Drumlee Orange Hall on Monday, which is located on the Mullan Road, near Ballymoney.

The container was removed for examination. Police said the exact nature of the liquid had yet to be established.

Just two months ago, the hall was targeted by vandals when green paint was thrown at it and a window broken.

DUP councillor John Finlay described the perpetrators as "morans trying to stir up more tension and bring more grief on the community".

Mr Finlay linked the people responsible for the violence with the ongoing attacks in Rasharkin.

"This is the second attack in two months on this hall - four windows were broken and a container of flammable liquid thrown inside," he said.

"Obviously the clear intention was to burn the hall but fortunately the contain did not ignite. This hall is out in the country, used as a community building and causing offence to no-one."