Insurance giant Norwich Union has announced plans to close 11 claims centres with the loss of 750 jobs.

However, around 425 new jobs will be created elsewhere with the expansion of a further 11 centres, including one on Tyneside.

The moves are part of a restructuring due to be completed by the end of next year and designed to offer customers more specialist advice.

The 11 claims centres to be closed are in Basildon, Bristol, Cheadle, Chelmsford, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Croydon, Leeds, Northampton, Luton and Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

The centres being expanded are at Newcastle, Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester, Preston, Bradford, Cardiff, Dundee, Southend, Liverpool and Ipswich.

Around 100 jobs will be created at the Market Street claims office in Newcastle, taking the total workforce employed at the centre to 560.

Britain's biggest insurer said it would attempt to find alternative employment for those staff whose positions are affected by the restructuring.

Claims director Simon Machell said: "Any job losses are regrettable, but we believe these changes give our remaining staff longer-term stability and the opportunity to develop specialist skills."

He said the company was keen to build up areas of expertise, including in motor and household insurance, within the remaining centres.

Mr Machell added: "By developing larger, more specialist sites, we can give brokers and customers easier access to better trained staff, who will have a greater depth of expertise in dealing with claims."

The first phase of closures will take place by the end of September, with the remaining centres going by the end of next year.

Norwich Union is part of London-based CGNU, which plans to change its name to Aviva next month.