AN internet-based car insurance company with a significant presence in the North- East is expanding and creating up to 350 jobs.

The online insurer swiftcover.com said the jobs would be created over the next three years as a result of a multi-million pound operations centre it is building in Stockton, Teesside.

Construction of the 25,000 sq ft building at the Portrack Interchange Business Park has begun and the centre is expected to be operational in January next year.

The firm – which is using rock star Iggy Pop as the face of its advertising – already employs 450 customer help staff in Stockton.

Its new centre will be home to an expanded customer help team and a new IT department.

The Stockton premises will also provide operations support to AXA Direct, the direct motor insurance service recently launched by AXA, swiftcover.com’s parent company.

First established in 2005, and with headquarters in Cobham, Surrey, swiftcover.

com is one of the fastest growing insurers in the UK, with more than a million policy holders.

It was bought by AXA UK three years ago.

As well as motor insurance, swiftcover.com also provides motorcycle, travel and pet insurance.

Dave Fretter, swiftcover.

com’s operations director, who was born in Stockton, said: “Swiftcover.com has stayed loyal to Teesside, building on the success of our existing operation and fulfilling our commitment to staff to reward their efforts with our continued support.

“The local workforce is committed and ambitious, and we have supported this with investment in training and career development to maintain swiftcover.com’s high levels of customer service and staff retention.”

The development is being supported with a grant from regional development agency One North East.

Welcoming the plans, Richard Poundford, Stockton Borough Council’s head of regeneration and economic development, said: “This is tremendous news for Stockton and the Tees Valley and demonstrates the growing confidence in the area.

“It’s pleasing to see a company clearly satisfied and choosing to reinvest in Stockton as an effective place to do business.

“I’m sure local people will be looking forward to taking up these new job opportunities.”