Glass company makes 60 redundant

Toughglass has had to lay off half of its workforce

A County Down glass company has had to lay off more than half of its workforce.

Staff at Toughglass in Kilkeel have been told that about 60 staff are to be made redundant.

Toughglass, which makes toughened glass for the transport and construction industries, said the redundancies were caused by a downturn in demand.

South Down assembly member Jim Wells said the news was a major blow for the area.

"There is a question mark about the full-time employment of the other staff as well," the DUP representative said.

"Some of them may be put onto part-time work, so it is a very worrying time for the town."