CALL centre operater Spark Response has launched a recruitment drive for 170 temporary staff to help manage the Christmas rush.

With clients, including retailers such as Toys R Us, who see a significant hike in demand in the coming months, Spark needs additional workers to support both the call centre and the fulfilment cente, whose staff ensure orders are dispatched to arrive before December 25.

The process will take Spark's total workforce to about 300.

Edward Duffy, a spokesman for the firm, said: "Many of our clients experience significant increases in sales in the run up to Christmas which means the demand on our resources increases as well. We have to ensure we're in a position to meet that surge in demand hence the recruitment process we're undertaking in the coming weeks.

"While the new positions we're looking to fill are initially temporary, we are a growing company and are always looking to strengthen our team so applicants should see this as the ideal opportunity to impress. If they do that and we see real potential in them, it could lead to something more permanent."

To find our more about the jobs being created, contact Edward Duffy on 0191 4186028 or email edward.duffy@sparkresponse.com.