Around 30 new jobs are expected to be created at a Larne electronics company following a £900,000 investment, backed by the IDB. Martin Electronics, which is based close to Larne Harbour, was set up in 1983, and currently employs 100 people.

It is a sub-contract manufacturer of cable assemblies and printed circuit boards for the telecommunications and electronics industries.

The managing director, Mr Laurie Martin, said the money was being invested in new plant and machinery in order to expanding production and increase the volume of export business.

"We are a lean and flexible operation," Mr Martin said. "We can offer customers a competitively-priced service and shorter production runs than many of our competitors. A key objective of this expansion is to grow the business by increasing our existing customer base.

The IDB is offering a grant of £140,000 sterling in support of the project.

The executive director of the agency's electronics and general manufacturing division, Mr Brian Gordon, said the investment was the result of a strategic review undertaken by the company to identify business opportunities, particularly in markets outside Northern Ireland.