Mobile phone giant Orange announced last night the creation of 1,500 jobs at a new North-East call centre - as predicted in The Northern Echo last month.

The centre, to be based next door to an existing communications operation in North Tyneside, is scheduled to open in August next year and will bring the number of Orange employees in the North-East to 5,500, more than half of the firm's total UK workforce.

News of Orange's plans was leaked last month by the firm's new recruitment company.

Ian Parker, UK group director of customer relations, said: ''The North-East is our largest employment area and one in which we have enjoyed great success over the years.''

Orange is already one of the largest employers in the region, with four other call centres already up and running - the existing one in North Tyneside, Peterlee and two in Darlington.

Mr Parker said: ''North Tyneside is an excellent place to locate a communications centre.

"One of the main reasons for this is the top-quality staff we are able to attract.

''We are committed to providing the best customer service of any network in the UK.

''We intend our continued business growth and expansion to benefit this local community, bringing many more jobs to the area.''

Orange opened its first centre in the North-East in 1994, and has since invested a total of £270m in the region.

Analysts predict 2.1 per cent of the UK working population will be employed in call centres by the end of the year.

Sir Ken Jackson, general secretary of the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, said last night's news was a ''fantastic boost'' for the North-East.

l The man credited with helping to bring thousands of jobs to the region has quit his post. Bob Fuller will leave his job as chief operating officer with Orange on November 30 for a "new challenge" with rival telecommunications firm Telewest.

Last night, an Orange spokesman said: "We thank Bob for the nine years' excellent work he has contributed and wish him all the best for the future."