UP to 100 clerical jobs are being created as a company attracts contract work to Teesside from across the UK.

HBS, which runs Middlesbrough Council's tax collection and housing benefits service, is in growing demand from other town halls across England and Wales.

It needs to recruit more workers as it now provides the same services for more than a dozen local authorities.

HBS is working with JobCentre Plus to recruit staff and has organised an open day at its premises in Rede House, Middlesbrough, next Wednesday.

Anyone who is interested can go along and find out more about the business and meet staff.

Brendan Brown, the head of the company's revenues and benefit service, said: "We are not just looking for people with experience in this kind of work. Some of the people who work for us came across from a variety of backgrounds and have made a successful transition.

"We also have vacancies for trainees, so we will be targeting school and college-leavers as well.

"This is great news for the company and for Middlesbrough's economy. These are good-quality permanent jobs, which offer the right people an excellent career in a growing business.

"HBS has a really good track record in revenues and benefits, and we are finding councils are coming to us for a range of services -dealing with backlogs, training their staff, troubleshooting when they install a new computer system, processing their work so they can meet Government targets.

"Benefits are a complex area and subject to frequent rule changes, so having access to the experience and skills we have developed here in Middlesbrough is very attractive to councils."

Tim Lonsdale, HBS's northern managing director, said: "Part of the HBS pledge was not only to make council services more efficient and accessible, but also to help regenerate the local economy.

"I am very pleased to say that we are delivering both those promises.

"Middlesbrough has established itself as HBS's centre of excellence for its revenues and benefits services, and is playing a key role in the company's national success."

To attend the open day, call JobCentre Plus staff on (01642) 394444.