MOBILE phone operator Orange has made a healthy start to the year with revenues up 370,000 euros (£256,285) across the group.

The interim results were heralded as good news for the region's 5,000-plus employees, who handled 7.8 million of the 11.3 million calls made to the company during the first three months of this year.

Total revenues were up 9.4 per cent for the three months to March 31, 2003.

Repeat business increased 10.6 per cent, which is crucial for the French-owned company as recurring network revenues account for 92 per cent of total revenues.

Contribution from non-voice services increased 29 per cent to 495m euros (£342,869,017).

The French and UK customer bases increased by more than five per cent each compared with the first quarter of last year.

Sol Trujillo, chief executive officer, said: "These are solid numbers, which clearly demonstrate Orange's focus on quality growth - not 'empty calorie' customers."

The firm plans further investment in key areas and is planning to publish a new company strategy by the end of June.

The North-East remains a key figure in the company's success, Orange said.

Orange has communication centres in Darlington (employing approximately 2,400 people), North Tyneside (approx 1,600 people) and Peterlee (approx 1,100 people).

Darlington took more than 2.6 million calls, North Tyneside more than three million and Peterlee more than two million. Orange also has 13 retail shops in towns and cities in the North-East helping to support its 13.3 million customers.