A MAJOR jobs coup is set to provide a staggering 2,000 new opportunities for local people.

Mobile telecommunications giants Cellnet has chosen the town as the site for its regional Call Centre.

Bosses say it is the sound of the local accent that played a part in their decision!

Subject to planning permission, the centre will be fully operational by October.

Bury Council leader, Councillor Derek Boden, said: "This is a major coup for the entire borough which will bring much needed jobs. This would be the first major call centre facility on the north side of the Manchester conurbation and it demonstrates that we have much to offer similar operations."

It is proposed to convert premises on Dumers Lane which are currently owned by Ron Wood Developments.

A 1,000-seat call centre would be created with support functions including training facilities, a staff canteen, conference rooms, and recruitment offices.

The centre would be operational 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing telephone customer care to Cellnet users.

Demographic studies and discussions with the council's economic development and planning staff, Bolton and Bury Chamber, and its Business Link team, convinced Cellnet that the borough has a skilled workforce to meet their needs. Mr Damian Peachey, company spokesman, said: "One of the factors for coming to the area was the accent. Our survey found that customers liked its soothing quality.

"In addition, we believe that people living in the borough have excellent communication skills."

Coun Boden said: "It looks as though things are going to be happening fairly quickly. We have worked closely with the company to ensure that things have gone as smoothly as possible and we look forward to welcoming Cellnet to our borough. I am sure that they will find it a happy and productive new base."

It is expected that at least 25 per cent of the call centre desks will be "live" by mid-June, with a further 25 per cent operational in August.

The remainder would be up and running by September/October.

Mr Richard Bindless, chief executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, said: "This is excellent news for the local economy and for local people and we are delighted to welcome such a prestigious company as Cellnet to the area.

"Together with our partners at Bury Council, we stand ready to give Cellnet all the help and support they require in swiftly setting up the new centre and in recruiting and training local people."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.