Three Northern Ireland-based businesses with ambitious expansion plans are hoping to deliver 117 jobs for Derry and Co Antrim.

Family firms Thornton Roofing and the Dowds Group both hope to grow their business operations outside of the North while NuPrint Technologies is planning to move into new markets.

Toomebridge-based Thornton Roofing, which has just celebrated 50 years in business, is to invest £8 million (€10.6 million) and create 50 jobs as part of a project to win new contracts in England and Scotland. The firm completed high-profile projects from the Waterfront Hall in Belfast to the Seamus Heaney Centre in Bellaghy.