TWO entrepreneurs have chosen Consett to launch what they say is the first in a new breed of call centres.

Paul Williams, 44, and Russell James, 34, say massive call centres are faceless and see a gap in the market to provide customers with a more personal service.

The Voicentric customer services contact centre was born and is setting up shop in a 1,000sq ft office at e-Business Centre. It will specialise in the financial services and utilities sectors and will create 60 jobs.

Mr Williams said: "We intend to get away from the call centre as a factory. We plan to limit our size to 60 people, which we believe is the perfect size to win some good contracts and maintain a highly skilled and well-motivated workforce."

The pair started up with the help of a grant from County Durham Development Company and attracted support from Derwentside District Council and the Derwentside Industrial Development Agency.

The company has invested £60,000 in the site and plans a further £235,000 over the next 18 months.

It is advertising for staff and hopes to be operating at full capacity by next year.