£100m Coca-Cola plant boosts North

THE opening of a near £100 million (€120m) Coca-Cola manufacturing plant in Co Antrim will yield long-term economic benefits for the North, political leaders claimed.

First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the Lisburn plant safeguarded hundreds of jobs after a lengthy negotiation to secure the business.

But Mr McGuinness denied the announcement was a blow to Coca-Cola employees in the Republic.