A REGIONAL call centre has made its mark on the European map after landing the bronze medal in an international business awards event.

Garlands Call Centres of Hartlepool won the prize in the European Call Centre of the Year Awards, beating competition from more than 200 European entries for the best out-source bureau.

Garlands was the only call centre from the North-East and was selected for providing the best quality, consistency and level of performance to its clients.

Chief executive of the company Chey Garland believed the recognition was for the outstanding service of the whole call centre team.

"This win provides indisputable recognition of the quality, commitment and professionalism of the Garland's workforce," she said.

"Everyone employed at the centre gives outstanding service to our clients, and our company continues to win ontracts through their efforts.

Garlands was launched in 1997 handling customer liaison calls for Vodafone. Initially employing 300 people, the centre has grown its client base and now employs 600.

Earlier this year Garlands was the first company in the Tees Valley to open an in-house Learning North-East centre, called HMS Discovery, offering a database of more than 3,500 courses to its staff.