More than 250 workers at the Antrim textiles company Norfil, which went into receiver ship earlier this month, will be laid off this week. Mr Henry Saville of the receivers KPMG said this figure included the 100 staff who had already been put on protective notice.

The remaining 25 from the total workforce of 280 are staying on to complete the shutdown of the plant.

Mr Saville said the priority was still to find a buyer prepared to take over the company as a going concern.

Mr Saville said it was well known that the textile sector was facing severe difficulties, which had been compounded by sterling's strength.