Tobacco factory gets 95 new jobs

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Tobacco firm Gallaher is to create 95 jobs at its Ballymena plant.

At the same time, its Cardiff factory is to close in September 2009 with the loss of 184 jobs.

Gallaher was bought by Japan Tobacco earlier this year, and a spokesman said it was a commercial decision to move the operation to Northern Ireland.

North Antrim DUP assembly member Ian Paisley said although it was "sad news for Cardiff," it was "a vote of confidence in the Ballymena plant".

He said it "will mean a significant increase in jobs in the locality."

A Gallaher spokesman blamed a 50% reduction in sales since 1999 for the closure of the Cardiff plant.

"The decision is a result of a continuing decline in the UK cigar market, and has been accelerated by the smoking ban," he said.

Gallaher Group Plc, which made Silk Cut and Benson & Hedges cigarettes, was taken over by Japan Tobacco earlier this year.

The new jobs are expected to be created at the company's factory at Lisnafillan, Ballymena, which employs more than 900 workers.