The animal feed firm John Thompson and Sons is investing £4.5 million sterling at its facility in Belfast in an expansion which will provide 10 new jobs, and establish what it is claimed will be the most biosecure feed milling operation in Ireland. Managing director Mr John McAuley said that large investments over the years had made the mill very efficient.

Mr McAuley said that the new facility would raise the food safety standards of Northern Ireland produce to a new level.

Established over a century ago, the firm employs 122 people.

Animal feed sales account for around 90 per cent of turnover, with the remainder coming from fertiliser sales and grain trading.

The investment is being supported by a grant of £850,000 from the IDB.