BOSSES behind a flagship call centre and major East Lancashire employer have announced the creation of a further 70 jobs at the Darwen site.

Capita, based in India Mill, said the news would provide a welcome boost for the local economy and was further proof of the centre's success.

Darwen is now one of the main northern bases for Capita and home to 250 workers, state of the art computers and a pioneering approach to work.

The spacious environment, designed with tall windows and huge ceilings, aim to make the fourth floor of India Mill an inviting prospect for any worker.

Aside from the picturesque setting, with views of the moors and Darwen Tower, Capita bosses said the working ethos also marked the start of a new life for Darwen workers.

Simon Pill, Capita training and recruitment manager, said: "There really is a very unique environment here where workers are urged to progress and they are given optimum support."

Almost 30 percent of the 200 customer advisers who started off in June last year have been promoted to senior roles in the company already.

"People want to come to work in a place where they are happy and where they feel comfortable. We give workers a lot of space and we have a lot of sunlight entering the building, which makes it an excellent environment.

"It's a success for Capita but it's also a success for Darwen because everyone here's been excellent."

Much like a mill town, Capita has worked to build not only a thriving workplace, but a buzzing community within the mill, the fourth floor of which was handed over to Capita in June after winning the £500 million TV Licensing contract in February.

A century ago India Mill was home to 100,000 spinning mills and the town thrived on the cotton trade, but following a multi-million pound refurbishment, a dynamic new trade is making it's mark in the town.

Paul Stanfield, contact centre manager, said: "It's a fantastic place here and it's one of the best buildings you could want to work in. If you think back ten years or so when it was a derelict mill it's hard to believe that it looks so great now.

"My aim is to have a happy workplace and we definitely have one here. I know that, given the choice, Capita would have all its call centres looking and working like this one because it's a flagship for the company."

The grade two listed mill was taken over by Brookhouse Composites Ltd of Brookhouse Holdings plc in 1993 and the four-acre site was transformed into business offices.

Darwen Jobcentre staff will once again be working with the council and Capita to recruit 67 new workers.

Karen Lee, Darwen Jobcentre Plus manager, said: "Capita is one of the biggest employers in Darwen and it's great news that they are opening their doors to people once again.

"We will be working closely with bosses from the company to recruit potential call centre workers. We will be looking into an open day in the near future where people can come along to the jobcentre and see what Capita is all about."

Jackie Garswood, team leader, said: "It's a very motivational atmosphere and you always want to work harder because there's a premier league where workers are rewarded for their efforts.

"I've worked here since last June and it's very challenging because you have to keep pushing yourself to get a little bit better every day."

What's in a job?

New recruits are trained for five weeks in a training room which can cater for up to 26 recruits.

- Out of the eventual 282 workers- when Capita is at full capacity- 241 people out of the figure will be on the phones.

- Workers calls are trained and monitored- the site answers 91 per cent of calls within 15 seconds (average is 85 per cent).

- Trainees face a rigourous interview process- a phone interview, a face-to-face talk spelling, grammar and numerical tests as well as a role play scenario.

- Twelve customer service advisers have one team leader to answer any queries.

- More than 90 per cent of workers are from the Blackburn with Darwen area.