GLEN Dimplex is to transfer one of its manufacturing operations from Southampton to Northern Ireland. The move will create a further 150 jobs at the Portadown plant in Co Armagh, although 250 will be lost in Southampton.

The move means all of Dimplex's storage heating manufacturing will now be carried out in Northern Ireland. The company says it has to rationalise because the market for storage heating in Britain has fallen 60 per cent in the last seven years.