THE decision by the US car components manufacturer, United Technologies, to close its plant in Peterborough, England, with the loss of 600 jobs could have implications for its operation in Derry, which turns out electrical circuitry for manufacturers such as Ford and Citroen.

Last summer, the firm laid off around 200 temporary workers in Derry because of what it said was a decline in car sales, the loss of a major contract and the transfer of business to plants in Hungary and Portugal.

The Peterborough factory mainly supplied Rover and Jaguar but the company said that in spite of major investment, it continued to lose money.