The Bermuda Police Service is ordering protective vests for its officers from a company in Northern Ireland.

Lisburn firm Global Armour is to supply the equipment. It manufactures body armour, helmets, gloves, riot control equipment, ballistic shields and protective eyewear for police, military and private sector organisations around the world.

The contract was announced to the Belfast Telegraph this week.

Kenton Hilman of Ulster Bank, which provided finance for the company's new manufacturing equipment, told the newspaper: "Global Armour is one of the most innovative businesses in its sector, with a 30-year track record of supplying armour for major police forces, emergency services and military personnel across the world.

"It already supplies several police forces in the UK and further afield, and its new customers include another major UK constabulary and police forces in Central America and Bermuda."

A spokesman for Bermuda Police Service said money had been allocated for the body armour in this year's Budget.

"The Bermuda Police Service, in keeping with best practice in the policing environment, is maintaining the highest standards in health and safety," he said.

"The Government has set aside the appropriate funding to do this."