Kilkeel company Toughglass has announced a £9 million sterling investment in a new state-of-the-art glass factory where 50 jobs are expected to be created over the next three years.

Toughglass currently employs 92 people in the Co Down town making toughened glass for the construction, transport, architectural and electronics sectors. The new factory will make curved glass for export.

The company chairman, Mr Gordon Coulter, said the investment was in line with its determination to become a major supplier of safety glass in Europe. Sales outside Northern Ireland had grown to 50 per cent of turnover, he said.

Northern Ireland's Industrial Development Board contributed £1.3 million sterling towards the investment.