THE region received a double jobs boost yesterday with announcements that 130 jobs would be created in Spennymoor and Gateshead.

Mail order service company Spark Response, at Follingsby Park, Gateshead, announced it is to increase its workforce by 100, and Breezemount Transport is opening a new unit in Rothmans Business Centre, Spennymoor, bringing 30 jobs to the area.

MFI contractor Breezemount will be using the warehouse space in the refurbished former Rothmans factory for storing and distributing MFI furniture.

The factory was bought by IES two years ago and has undergone a £1.5m refit to create 11 industrial units.

Meanwhile, in Gateshead, Spark Response, which already employs 420 at its contact centre, is expanding to cope with growing demand for its services.

It has launched a recruitment drive to fill positions, which include managerial roles as well as sales advisors and warehouse staff.

The new full-time employees will initially help Spark Response deal with its annual influx of Christmas work, but the majority will be retained on a permanent basis.

Clients include Powergen and holiday specialist Tui UK.

The firm, which was set up in 1998, specialises in customer services, mail order shopping facilities and warehousing with pick, pack and dispatch staff.

It deals with customer contact on behalf of a wide range of businesses, offers data collection services, and provides sales agents for clients.