SCORES of jobs are to be created at a Tees Valley contact centre after it won new contracts with blue-chip clients.

Enable Media, which employs 35 staff at Preston Farm, in Stockton, is to take on 100 workers.

The company, which runs the Scoot online business directory, has been based in Teesside for seven years.

It has received a £151,000 Grant for Business Investment (GBI) from development agency One North East to help pay for equipment needed for the expansion.

The firm, a subsidiary of UK online directory company Touch Local, has secured contracts with 118 118 in the past two months and with the Metro and TFM radio stations owner Bauer Radio during the past year.

Scoot is an online business directory that gives information about two million businesses, products and services.

Call centre director Dan Lawson, said the new staff would be taken on very soon.

He said: “It is an exciting time.

We are looking for staff of the right calibre.”

It has been a difficult year for call centre workers in the region, with 1,158 employees at Garlands centres in Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and South Shields, South Tyneside, losing their jobs in May after the firm went into administration.

Shop Direct closed its call centre in Hendon, Sunderland, in April, costing 900 workers their jobs.

Mr Lawson said: “There are experienced staff out there. The expansion will provide a highly productive home for the wealth of skill and talent residing in this area. The standard and expertise of staff is superb compared to other areas.

Mr Lawson said the One North East grant had played a pivotal role in keeping the existing jobs in the region and driving the expansion.

He said: “The grant has secured it for us and given us that vote of confidence.

“Given the support from One North East we can very much see a continued growth.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for both Enable Media Ltd and Teesside.”

Mark Livingstone, Touch Local’s chief executive, said: “The GBI award was fundamental in our decision to expand in Stockton rather than overseas.

“We are confident that the project will be nothing but a success.”

Ken Samson, head of business investment at One North East, said: “This is a real vote of confidence by Touch Local and Enable Media in the North-East economy.

“The company recognises the ability of the Tees Valley’s workforce to provide excellent services for their clients.

“I am delighted that One North East has been able to support this project with finance. The company has also received backing from a range of public sector partners to ensure the firm has everything it needs to establish this facility in the Tees Valley.”