Northern Ireland has the capability and the capacity "to play a big part" in building Heathrow's £14 billion third runway, according to Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Lindsay Millar.

Ms Millar made her comments after MPs voted in the House of Commons 415 to 119 in favour of building a third multi-billion runway at Heathrow.

As part of the expansion, four Heathrow 'Logistics Hub' will be created at chosen sites across the UK to pre-assemble components of the expanded airport before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow.

Representatives from Heathrow Airport recently completed their assessment of the six Northern Ireland sites in the running to be key partners in the expansion of Heathrow.

Mid and East Antrim, along with its partners in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, have three sites in the running for a logistics hub – Michelin in Ballymena, Belfast International Airport and Global Point Business Park in Newtownabbey.

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The sites are on a shortlist of 65 across the UK to potentially become Heathrow Logistic Hubs; offsite construction centres where parts can be pre-assembled before being transported.

Mayor Miller said the decision by MPs is "great news for Heathrow and all of those currently bidding to be selected as a base for a Heathrow Logistics Hub".

"Being part of the Heathrow expansion would be a big boost for the manufacturing and construction sectors here, and for the wider economy," she said.

"We have the capability and the capacity to play a big part in this project and have shown the Heathrow delegation that we are ready and willing to work with them."

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael, said: "The news that the third runway at Heathrow is to go ahead is a fantastic step forward for all involved.

"The opportunities that this excellent investment will generate will reach all parts of the UK and beyond through new jobs, supply chain opportunities and business growth.

"We are optimistic that one of the proposed Heathrow logistics hubs will be secured for Northern Ireland and indeed for one of the three sites proposed through our partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

"Such ventures are essential for Northern Ireland and we look forward to supporting the Heathrow project as it advances to the next stage."

Having carried out the local site visits in recent weeks, Heathrow aims to open a pre-qualification questionnaire process to the successful bidders later in the year.

(LM/MH)