A leading textile company in Northern Ireland has announced it is shedding almost 500 jobs.
Desmond and Sons - a sole supplier to Marks & Spencer - said it was shutting three factories in the north and west of Northern Ireland.
The closure of factories in Omagh, Co Tyrone, Swatragh, Co Derry and Irvinstown, Co Fermanagh comes only months after the company shut two factories, in Derry and nearby Dungiven, with the loss of 300 jobs.
As with the previous closures, work currently carried out in Northern Ireland is being moved to plants owned by the company abroad.
Desmonds said that to stay competitive it could no longer continue with large scale manufacturing in Northern Ireland.
