Northern Ireland could be in line for its biggest-ever employment project with the announcement today of a massive new business complex on the site of Belfast International Airport.

Welsh group TBI, which bought the airport last year, is thought to be planning a 200acre development on the Co Antrim site. The project, if it goes ahead, could amount to a £100 million investment with the potential to create 15,000 jobs.

The plans are understood to include a factory outlet village, air cargo warehouse, business units and offices. A new railway link to the complex and improved roads could also be in the pipeline.

It would all be a major boost for the region , which recently saw unemployment rise as elsewhere in Britain it has been falling.

A spokeswoman for TBI last night refused to confirm the plans, but said an announcement will be made today.