TWO new industrial investment projects worth more than £2 million sterling were yesterday announced for the south Down fishing town of Kilkeel.

Scottish Seafoods Ltd is to create 75 new jobs at its Kilkeel plant, bringing the total number employed there to 185.

Scottish Seafoods, part of the Booker plc's fish division, produces scampi products at Kilkeel primarily for the wholesale and food service industry.

The North's Industrial Development Board (IDB) is supporting the £1.34 million investment with a grant of £244,000.

Mr John McGuckian, chairman of the IDB, said the project was in line with the strategy of the Fish Processing Task Force, which aims to achieve a 50 per cent increase in value-added production.

Meanwhile, Toughglass, part of the Coulter Group, has announced a £927,000 investment to increase productivity, expand its range of products and strengthen its overall competitiveness.

Toughglass, which employs 106 people, boosted its workforce by 32 over the last 18 months. It is a family-owned company which manufactures toughened safety glass at Kilkeel.

The IDB is supporting the investment with a grant of £214,000.