Shorts has announced a £9 million expansion plan for its plant at Dunmurry in west Belfast. The project could see employment at the plant rise from 250 to 500.

Overall, employment at Shorts' two factories, Newtownabbey and Dunmurry, both of which manufacture advanced composites for the aerospace industry, will rise from 530 to 880 by the end of the year.

The expansion is the result of an increase in demand from one of Shorts' biggest customers - the Boeing aircraft company in Seattle.

News of the expansion was announced during a tour of the Dunmurry plant by the delegation of US businessmen, led by the US Commerce secretary Mr William Daley.

The investment is not seen as a direct result of the trade mission, but is being put forward as an example of the benefits arising from Northern Ireland's links with the US.

According to Shorts, around 1,100 of its 8,000 staff are employed on Boeing Contracts.

The latest expansion is aimed at coping with the increased demand for advanced composite materials from Boeing, and from Shorts' parent company, Bombardier. About 250 jobs will be created at the Dunmurry plant and the rest at Newtownabbey.

Meanwhile, Mr Daley continues his four-day trade mission today.

It is designed to reinforce the Northern Ireland Agreement. Mr Daley is accompanied by representatives from 17 US companies who will visit various parts of the region, including the border counties.