Senior officials from Northern Ireland's economic development agency, Invest NI, were on their way to the US tonight to plead for the jobs of over 250 workers at a medical equipment company facing redundancy.
They are seeking a rethink by the American parent of Tyco Healthcare who last month announced the planned closure of its plant in Ballymoney, Co Antrim.
The company put workers at the plant - which produces needles, syringes and related products - on 90 day notice of the start of a rundown in staffing, starting next February and ending with closure a year later.
The parent company, Covidien, has plants around the world and said it was looking for improved efficiency after a global review.
The company has been operating successfully in Ballymoney for over 40 years but last year 30 workers at the plant were paid off.
