STAFF at the Dungannon linen company Moygashel have been put on short time working. The move is due to a global downturn in the linen business and a delay in expected orders, said Mr John Robinson, its operations director.

Moygashel employs nearly 50 people making linen for the apparel and furnishing business. They will work on a week on, week off rota for the foreseeable future.

The downturn is Europe wide in terms of manufacturing, "but it is the result of a fall off in demand from markets throughout the world, particularly the United States," said Mr Robinson.