The first set of seats for British Airways has been delivered from the B/E Aerospace factory in Kilkeel, Co Down.

It marks the first stage in a multi-million contract for the firm, whose parent company, based in North Carolina, is the world's biggest supplier of aircraft seating.

Mr John Sharkey, B/E Aerospace vice-president, said BA was a long-time customer, and the seats were the wider modified convertible Club Europe seat for the Regional A319 Airbus.

B/E Aerospace employs 350 people at its Kilkeel factory, making business class seats for a number of international airlines.