MORE THAN 200 jobs will be created in Northern Ireland by US medical device manufacturer CaridianBCT.

A £16 million (€20.2 million) investment by CaridianBCT in Larne, Co Antrim, is set to deliver 235 skilled jobs and more than double the workforce to 425.

The investment – which is getting £1.7 million support, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund – will establish the plant as one of the company’s strategic manufacturing sites.

The announcement was made during a visit to the plant by the North’s Economy Minister Arlene Foster yesterday.

The Minister said it was particularly pleasing to make the announcement at a time of generally poor economic news.

She said: “The company is offering not just quality employment opportunities, but the chance for local people to gain transferable skills.”

The Larne plant manufactures sterile fluids for human and veterinary use. It serves blood banks, hospitals, and clinical and biotech research facilities. – (PA)