WORK has started on the first-ever purpose-built call centre in Barrow, which is expected to create up to 60 new jobs when it opens in mid-2003.

United Co-op Travel is investing £500,000 in the new 12,000 sq ft call centre for Barrow Travel, which will house 120 people, including around 60 staff who will transfer from three existing sites.

Barrow job centre and Furness College's call centre training facility is being lined up to help with the recruitment process.

Furness Enterprise chief executive Harry Knowles welcomed the investment, saying it demonstrated Barrow was a first class location for niche customer service operations serving high value UK and international markets.

"We have been able to help United Co-op Travel Group achieve its ambitions of a state-of-the-art call centre by securing a substantial business support package, including helping to prepare a bid for regional selective assistance grant aid, to assist with modernisation and enlargement of the Barrow Travel Centre operation already in the town."

Mike Greenacre, group general manager of Barrow Travel's parent company, United Co-op Travel Group, said: "We are committed to Barrow and wanted to retain and enhance our strong links with the town."

Staff at the call centre will take bookings for cruise holidays and city breaks.