Tax call centre brings 370 jobs

Some 370 jobs have been created with the opening of a new call centre in west Cumbria.

The HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) contact centre at Lillyhall, near Workington, is due to be fully operational by the end of March.

About 250 people have already been recruited and are taking calls relating to self assessment tax returns.

A further 120 are being trained at the centre, which has been refurbished using recycled building materials.

Linda Maslen, head of HMRC contact centres, said: "Nearly six months of hard work to redesign the building, recruit and train the people and develop the systems has culminated in the creation of a flagship site for HMRC.

"This is just the beginning for this site and our new teams."