The new call centre is at Erskine, near Glasgow

The posts are a result of a major expansion plan by the company which has included the purchase of a 30,000 sq ft facility in Erskine.

BeCogent already has a call centre in Airdrie which provides telemarketing and helpdesk functions to companies including Telewest and ScottishPower.

The announcement makes beCogent one of Scotland's largest call centre employers.

First Minister Jack McConnell welcomed the news at a visit to the firm's call centre in Airdrie which employs 1,300 people.

He said: "beCogent is an example of exactly the kind of entrepreneurial dynamism that will help us grow the Scottish economy.

"Our national economic prosperity will be secured by the efforts of a wide range of individuals and bodies, people and companies who are ambitious for themselves, and their country.

"When I launched our framework for economic development earlier this month I said that I wanted Scotland to be the most business friendly region in the UK.