A record breaking £519m investment will safeguard the future of aircraft manufacturers Bombardier.

The massive boost to the Airport Road aviation company marks the largest single investment of its kind in Northern Ireland and will secure over 800 jobs.

The deal will allow Bombardier to design and build the wings of a new generation of commuter aircraft. It involves the production of the company’s revolutionary C-Series 110-130 seat commuter jets.

The east Belfast plant is bidding for a further work package for the engine nacelles which could increase the total investment to £563.2m and jobs secured to more than 1,100.

It will attract some £155m in government support.

Management of the Canadian company say they don’t know yet the exact number of new jobs the half-a-billion pound investment will create for the area.

First Minister Peter Robinson was among the first to congratulate the company following its announcement at Farnborough International Airshow earlier this week.

It was hailed as a tribute to a strong skill base and commitment to innovation.

The East Belfast MP said: “This is a tremendous boost for the local economy and represents a further example of Northern Ireland's competitiveness on the global stage.

“I don't believe this would have happened if it hadn't been for devolution,” he said.

“I just know, without giving away too many of the commercial issues involved, that this simply would not have happened if there had not been devolved institutions in Northern Ireland.

“I pay tribute to the work that Arlene Foster has done and before her Nigel Dodds, but both the Deputy First Minister and I have been involved almost on a daily basis for these past months.”

He said the mammoth investment could serve to attract other investors to Northern Ireland.

Secretary of State Shaun Woodward added: “This proves that devolution is winning for Northern Ireland. This is great news not just for Bombardier in Belfast but for the wider community.”

President and chief executive of Bombardier Pierre Beaudoin said: “I am proud to say that we have met our business plan objectives: a technologically advanced aircraft family, a strong pipeline of orders and repayable investments with governments and agreements with key suppliers.

“It is another example of our commitment to designing and manufacturing innovative aircraft that will ensure our continued industry leadership,” he said.

East Belfast MLA Robin Newton also added his welcome to the news which will see Bombardier remain as a world leader in the aerospace industry.

Mr Newton said: “Bombardier is a lynchpin in securing the economic prosperity of Belfast and underpinning Northern Ireland’s economy. Any good news for this important east Belfast company signifies increased confidence for the economy.”