ABOUT 300 jobs are to be created in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, by a US electronics components company which is setting up a £33 million sterling plant, writes Suzanne Breen. The Industrial Development Board (IDB) is supporting the investment by Copeland Corporation which claims to be the world's leading manufacturer of compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

The IDB chairman, Mr John McGuckian, said the project was a significant boost for Cookstown, which is an area of high unemployment.

Copeland, which has sales of about $1.2 billion, employs 5,500 people. Construction of the new plant will begin in August with production due to start early next year.

Copeland's European president, Mr Egon Wiethoff, said the North was an ideal location because of its excellent workforce, local community support, and links with other European countries. Copeland's parent company, Emerson Electric, moved into the North two years ago when it took over F.G. Wilson, of Larne, Co Antrim.