A MOBILE phone company has moved closer to fulfilling a pledge over hundreds of North-East jobs.

EE says it will take on 130 staff at its Darlington offices.

Bosses say the workers will oversee UK customer calls, with staff handling home broadband and pay-as-you-go services.

Another 130 jobs will be created at EE’s North Tyneside base to fulfil the same duties.

The move comes after officials promised earlier this year to bring about 600 jobs back to the UK for customer calls.

Marc Allera, EE chief executive, said he was delighted.

He added: “We set out ambitions to return all customer service roles to the UK and Ireland and the number of complaints has plummeted.

“However, we’re not stopping there.

“We want to achieve more and are creating additional service jobs in the UK to provide the best possible experience for customers.”

EE is Darlington’s largest private employer with about 1,500 posts.

Bosses previously said they will spend millions on new offices to strengthen the firm’s Darlington operations.

EE is also creating jobs in Plymouth and South Wales.