Almost 180 new jobs are being created at a Co Tyrone meat processing plant.

Dungannon-based Linden Foods is expanding operations in a £5 million (€5.9 million) investment.

The company, which is a subsidiary of Fane Valley Co-operative Society, sources and produces beef and lamb.

The Stormont Executive’s business support agency Invest Northern Ireland has offered a grant of £520,000 under its Jobs Fund to assist the company’s plans.

A total of 179 new posts, including managerial and production roles, have been created. The expansion of the workforce comes two years after the company built a new facility adjacent to its main processing site at Granville.

Trevor Lockhart, chairman of Linden Foods, said: "This investment is an important part of our long term development strategy and underlines our commitment to the Dungannon area."

“The support from Invest NI through its Jobs Fund will allow us to create the workforce we need to meet the demand for our range of new and innovative products among export customers and enable us to cement our leading position within the meat processing industry.”

Northern Ireland Minister for Enterprise Arlene Foster visited the plant today.

“This investment is very welcome news for the food industry which is a key contributor to Northern Ireland’s economy,” she said.

She said the 179 new production and managerial positions will generate over £2.5 million annually in additional salaries.

PA