A North Belfast brush manufacturer is investing £1.3 million sterling to expand production and introduce new paintbrush products for export markets. Robert J. Hall, set up in 1783, employs more than 100 people in the manufacture of a range of household brushes and paintbrushes.

It was acquired by the London-based investment company Longwall Holdings in 1994. Mr Des McClelland, a director of the company, said the strategy was to achieve a growth in sales of around 15 per cent a year over the next three years.

The investment is being supported by a grant of £244,000 from the IDB.