Aliens may be about to land in a Co Antrim seaside town.

Builders are to get a minor boost soon with news that a specialised centre is to be built in Larne for the short-term detention of suspected illegal immigrants or aliens.

The Home Office-run UK Border Agency is considering submitting a planning application proposing construction of the facility in the grounds of the PSNI station.

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It has been reported that a proposal to commission the 22-bed holding centre close to the port of Larne is currently awaiting final decision, but a formal planning application is expected in the near future.

The East Antrim MP, Sammy Wilson told the local paper, the Larne Times that such centres are a necessity in the current global economic climate and were important in stopping potential exploitation of such illegals, as unscrupulous employers could easily take them advantage of them.

The scheme has yet to be sent for planning approval, the DUP politician and Stormont Finance Minister said, but promised to that once the Home Office takes the development forward, he would keep "constituents informed what is happening" with local builders able to bid for the work.

(BMcC/GK)