A SCOTTISH carpet manufacturer has blamed a sharp increase in its operating loss on the poor performance of its Northern Ireland subsidiary.

Richards plc, which is based in Aberdeen, said that Northern Ireland Spinners, which employs around 350 people in plants in Newtownards and Killinchy, had recorded a significant loss.

Results for the year to the end of September showed an operating loss of just over £1 million, up from £43,000 the previous year.

Richards recently sold off the shirt division of Spence Bryson in Portadown to a management team headed by the former managing director Mr Robin Eagleson.