Despite hopes for a Northern Ireland branch of the 'Trump Empire', American magnate Donald Trump has finally gained permission to build a much-mooted £1bn golf resort in Scotland.

During intense wrangling over the Aberdeenshire site, a number of local representatives invited Mr Trump to consider a Co Antrim alternative.

Former First Minister Ian Paisley was among those who called on Mr Trump to weigh up a Northern Ireland substitute site.

Dr Paisley spoke with the US mogul on a trade mission to New York last December.

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Ballymena MLA Robert Coulter also encouraged Mr Trump to look at possible options in Antrim.

Northern Ireland received an encouraging nod from the billionaire developer, when he dispatched an advisor to look at potential sites in the province, after Aberdeenshire Council rejected his original plans.

Despite this, Mr Trump continued to lobby for permission to develop the complex in Aberdeenshire.

Yesterday it was announced the scheme - comprising two golf courses and hundreds of houses – would now be built at Menie on the Scottish coast.

It is expected around 6,000 construction jobs could be created during the construction of the complex.

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the news.

See: Trump Inquiry Ready To Tee Off

(PR)