BROADBAND and TV firm Virgin Media is preparing to create North-East jobs as it launches a £3bn expansion.

The company says it aims to deliver 6,000 posts across the UK, as well as 1,000 apprenticeships, in plans to extend its broadband network.

The firm has offices in Stockton, Gateshead and Newcastle.

It told The Northern Echo it was too early to say identify job numbers at specific sites, but did confirm the region will be included in the changes.

The new jobs will cover construction, engineering and sales and customer support roles.

Virgin Media, which uses six-time Olympic champion Usain Bolt to advertise its products, says it will extend its fibre network to take the number of UK homes and businesses it reaches to nearly 17 million by 2020.

A spokeswoman told The Northern Echo its expansion will be prioritised according to customer demand.

She added: “The jobs will be across the UK, but until we know where we are going to branch out we’ll not know the specifics of each job.

“We are asking the public where they want the network building, which will impact on where jobs are.

“Our apprentices will train in Birmingham, but there’s nothing to say we won’t need them in every part of the country.”

The move comes as rival telecoms company BT continues with a £12.5bn takeover of network operator EE, which is Darlington’s largest private employer with about 2,000 call centre workers, and has hundreds more staff in Doxford, Sunderland, and Cobalt Business Park, near Newcastle.

Despite that impending growth, Tom Mockridge, Virgin Media’s chief executive, revealed it was ready to take BT on.

He said: “In virtually all of the areas we have identified for expansion, BT is the only option available right now.

“Its ageing copper telephony wires are not capable of the ultrafast connectivity we deliver.

“Soon we will offer unbeatable services to even more homes and businesses across the country.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has also supported Virgin’s plans.

He added: “This is a substantial investment and these new jobs and apprenticeships.

"It will mean financial security and economic peace of mind for thousands of hardworking families.”