One of the North's leading employers is to let go up to 250 people

Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of heavy construction equipment.

It employs 1800 people across the north but has announced its closing its Monkstown factory outside Belfast.

The company says it's been hit by a global downturn in mining and oil exploration which has reduced demand for its products.

Northern Ireland Secretary of state James Brokenshire says the administrations in London and Belfast will work hard to find alternative employment for those affected.

This worker at Caterpillar says it's a huge blow for the area and the economy as a whole: