Gallaher's cigarette factory in Ballymena is to close, leading to the loss of almost 1,000 workers, according to DUP MP Ian Paisley.

The North Antrim MP said the announcement by JTI that workers have been put on a 90-day redundancy notice is "devastating." He said he would seek meetings with management of JTI to see if any issues could be resolved.

"I am not in the habit of scaremongering or crying wolf," he said. "For the past five years since I became Member of Parliament for North Antrim I have warned about the serious unintended consequences for jobs in North Antrim if government locally nationally and in Europe continues to over regulate the already heavily regulated tobacco industry.

"Indeed, in July 2012 I warned that 1,000 jobs were under threat. Unfortunately those warnings fell on deaf ears. This was despite me arranging over twenty on-site visits for politicians from all parties and the government to see the impact more regulations would have on jobs.

"Today my warnings have been realised with the announcement that effectively starts a 90 day consultation with workers not only in Ballymena but across JTI's European footprint to cease production. This effectively marks the end of an era."

(IT/JP)