A MOBILE phone operator is creating hundreds of jobs in a move that will strengthen its position as a town’s largest private employer.

EE plans to recruit more than 400 staff at its call centres across the region.

Bosses say they want nearly 150 people to bolster operations at Darlington, where the company already employs in excess of 2,000 staff and runs as the town’s biggest private employer.

A further 185 will be taken on at a sister site near North Shields, North Tyneside, with another 90 roles earmarked for the firm’s base in Doxford, Sunderland.

Bosses say the drive will help the business meet rising customer demand and satisfy clamour for products on its 4G network, which is designed to give phone users improved internet access.

The move follows a previous commitment to return services to the country from abroad, which officials say delivered hundreds of North-East posts and means queries on areas such as EE’s pay monthly service are now dealt with in the UK and Ireland.

Marc Allera, chief executive, said its latest announcement forms part of a national campaign to enrol 800 people across the company’s UK operations.

He said: “Our customers want great 4G coverage, and great customer service, no matter where they are, and we’ve been working non-stop to give them both.

“We’re recruiting new talent, providing great opportunities through our apprentice scheme and creating entirely new jobs for the UK economy that will help ensure our customers have a great experience, whether they speak to us on the phone, in our stores, or online.”

EE previously announced it would spend millions on new offices in Darlington to help secure jobs and was the subject of a £12.5bn takeover by BT early last year.

Officials say the deal, approved by the Competition and Markets Authority, gives BT extended scope to offer fixed-line phones, mobiles and TV, as well as access to EE’s 4G network.

At the time, inquiry chairman John Wotton said there was no evidence the tie-up would damage the market.

He added: “As BT is a smaller operator in mobile, it is unlikely the merger will have a significant effect on competition.

“By the same token, it is unlikely the deal will have a significant effect on competition in the retail broadband market, where EE is only a minor player.”