The Portadown construction group JH Turkington and Sons has been awarded a £12 million contract to develop the new headquarters for the North’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The three-storey departmental headquarters will be located on the former Shackleton army barracks in Ballykelly and the construction project is expected to support 155 full time jobs.

Around 600 civil servant jobs are set to be moved from Belfast to the North West as part of the relocation of a government department to a rural area for the first time.

The North's First Minister, Arlene Foster said: "Relocating Government department headquarters away from Belfast demonstrates the Executive's commitment to rural communities in Northern Ireland.

“The construction of the new headquarters offers businesses, in both Ballykelly and the wider area, huge economic opportunities. Hundreds of civil servants will work and shop in the village which, in turn, will help create many more additional service and supply jobs as well as secure existing employment.”

Meanwhile the deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, also said: “This project has been a catalyst for regeneration stimulating much needed job opportunities as well instilling the local community and businesses with renewed energy.”

Trevor Turkington, chief executive of the Portadown contractors said his company was thrilled to win the contract.

“It is just the type of challenge we have successfully delivered for other clients so we are very excited to be part of this major relocation project for DARD.”