A GLOBAL communications company could create scores of new jobs in a North-East town after unveiling plans to extend a 24-hour call centre.

Everything Everywhere (EE) wants to demolish four buildings at its existing call centre, in Yarm Road Business Park, Darlington, and create one larger property to house workers.

The plans would see the company, which is believed to employ about 2,000 staff in Darlington, extend its Nexus building, built in 1998, with a second two-storey property, providing 13,000sq metres office space.

The firm, which is the brand behind T-Mobile and Orange, runs superfast 4G mobile phone services with speeds up to five times faster than 3G.

The company is Darlington's biggest private employer and said the proposals showed its commitment to creating more jobs in the town.

Councillor Bill Dixon, leader of Darlington Borough Council, said the plans reflected the wider ongoing drive to attract and maintain companies and jobs in the town.

He said: “EE are a quality company that we are proud to have in the borough.

“Their plans to secure their future in Darlington and expand their business is something that must be supported.” The company, which also has a call centre in Murton, east Durham, said the development would create more jobs.

It said: “We want to provide a high quality, flexible and modern call centre, that will remain a sensitive and considered addition to the character of the existing EE Darlington campus.

“This development will create a building that becomes a prestigious employment generating facility that will attract staff and raise employment.

“This will provide a long-term future for the site and the Nexus building will be retained because it is a quality structure which requires minor alterations to meet required standards.

“The intention is for the two buildings to operate as one holistic building and merge into a large single call centre.

“Together, the buildings will provide 13,200sq metres over two storeys and 990 car parking spaces.”

The proposals have been submitted to Darlington Borough Council's planning department and a decision is expected later this year.