The firm plans to open a giant customer service centre in the Dearne Valley in South Yorkshire, where thousands of jobs were lost with the demise of the coal and steel industries.

Richard Wells reports: "Jobs are now following"

The jobs at the customer service centre will be in addition to the 1,750 jobs announced by Ventura in the Dearne Valley last year. The group has already recruited 800 staff in the area.

It is hoped that the centre, which has yet to be built, will be opened for business early next year. The site will include leisure facilities for staff.

Troubled history

Through its call centres, Ventura handles customers accounts for companies including Cellnet and the Co-operative Bank.

Steve Fairbank, chief executive of Ventura, said the Dearne Valley had been chosen specifically because of its troubled employment history.

"We have access to a large potential workforce due to the existing high levels of unemployment in the area and we have been very pleased with the support of local employment and education bodies in the selection and training of staff."

Women targeted

Of the 800 staff already recruited by the company in the area, 60% were unemployed before being taken on.

Ventura says it targets women and the over 45s because it believes their life experiences make them particularly suitable for dealing with customers.