Call centre jobs boost

The Bangor operation has grown to more than 400 staff in three years

Up to 100 jobs are to be created at a County Down call centre.

The full-time, permanent jobs will be based at MM Group's facility in Bangor, which handles calls for a wide variety of firms including the UK Passport Agency and the National Blood Service.

The announcement on Thursday followed the Bristol-based company's acquisition of one of its main rivals, Contact 24.

MM Group has increased its workforce in Bangor from 90 employees to more than 400 since the centre opened in 2000.

Chief Executive Jeff Smith said the company could soon be creating more jobs at its centres in Cardiff, Bristol and Ashby de la Zouch.

"We are determined to grow MM still further and are fully prepared to invest in Northern Ireland," he said.

"The only obstacle to growth is finding enough of the right people quickly enough to meet our needs."