One of the UK's leading general insurers has strengthened its operations in the North-East with the announcement that it is to create 60 jobs in Darlington.

Axa Insurance is to expand its customer sales team in the town's Beaumont Street - in addition to the 45 jobs it announced for the office last September.

A mixture of full and part-time positions are on offer as part of the latest recruitment drive, which will increase staffing in Darlington to more than 300.

Last night, the move was welcomed by the Darlington Partnership, the organisation responsible for providing a strategy to move the town forward.

Jane Brown, the partnership's chief executive, said: "New jobs are good news. This links in with our draft community strategy, which sets out the new vision for Darlington for the next ten years.

"Within it, we identify some of the key outcomes we want for Darlington. One of these is improving the economy, and this is reflected in our ambition to attract employment to the town.

"It is important for Darlington to attract new businesses to the area and to encourage existing companies to continue their support and commitment to the local economy."

The Beaumont Street operation takes calls for RAC Insure, the new brand name for RAC motor insurance.

Andy Fairchild, customer service director at AXA Insurance, said: "Some recent organisational changes have resulted in Darlington becoming a dedicated customer care centre.

"We are committed to putting our customers firmly at the centre of our business and are therefore looking to expand our operation in Darlington."

The French-owned firm has maintained faith in the town, despite restructuring last May when it announced it was to cut 700 jobs as part of a restructuring of its general insurance operation in the UK.

The company pledged at the time to invest £100m in Information Technology systems during the next three years.

AXA Insurance will be holding an open day on Thursday, at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, between noon and 7pm.

Those who are unable to attend and are interested in finding out further information, are asked to contact the recruitment hotline on 0845 601 0885