LONDON Electricity officially opened the doors to its extended customer contact centre yesterday.

The extension of its existing building at Sunderland's Doxford International Business Park, has created 200 jobs, with up to 300 more in the pipeline.

The customer contact centre, established six years ago with 150 staff, now employs more than 1,000.

The extension represents an investment of £600,000 by the company and shows its continued commitment to developing Sunderland as an innovative call centre operation.

The centre is the customer services arm of the LE Group, which has more than three million gas and electricity customers and employs more than 7,000 people in total.

In 1998 it was acquired by French group Electricite de France.

Staff at the Sunderland centre handle calls from London Electricity customers all over the UK, including those with the South West Electricity Board and Virgin Energy.

Vincent de Rivaz, LE Group's new chief executive was in Sunderland for the opening.

He said: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to see such a crucial part of London Electricity's operation, so soon after my appointment as chief executive.

"Since we opened this centre six years ago we have been very pleased with the commitment and dedication shown by staff, the local authority and local people to making it a success."

He added: "We now employ 1,000 people here in Doxford and our expansion into the adjoining building is a further demonstration of our commitment to the area."

Also attending the opening were local dignitaries including Sunderland Mayor Councillor Ken Murray, who unveiled the new wing.

Derek Lickorish, managing director of LE Group Customer Services, said the extension gave the company further scope for expansion.

He said: "We currently have two further floors which can be developed for call centre operations. We anticipate that they will create a further 300 to 400 jobs once they become operational over the next couple of years.