The Norwegian owner of Belfast’s troubled Harland and Wolff shipyard is selling off its interests in 185 acres of former shipbuilding land for nearly £50m (€71m) it was announced tonight.

Workers at Belfast’s troubled Harland and Wolff shipyard will hear plans today for redundancies which are expected to more than halve the work force.

The British High Court in London is due to give its judgement today in a £21m dispute which could decide the future of Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff.