Two Northern Ireland engineering companies are expanding and creating jobs thanks to funding from Invest NI.

Engineering and manufacturing firm Alternative Heat is planning on expanding its manufacturing facilities and create 23 new jobs.

The Castlewellan-based firm has been offered a £85k financial injection by Invest Northern Ireland to support the development of Alternative’s Burrenreagh Road site through a new warehouse and associated yard facilities.

And electric motor and electrical engineering company JJ Loughran is creating 37 new jobs in Cookstown as part of a £2.2m investment supported by Invest NI.

The county Tyrone business, which has recruited nine of these positions already, is investing in new equipment, marketing and additional skilled personnel to boost its competitiveness in growing industry sectors such as agri-food, renewable and pharmaceuticals.

The majority of the remaining 28 jobs will be created over the next three years.