NEWCASTLE Falcons director of rugby, and former England fly half, Rob Andrew has opened the new business contact centre of 2Touch, in Sunderland.

The company moved to the 140,000sq ft premises, on the Doxford International Business Park, in January.

It is already taking on a further 150 staff, to add to the present 300, after winning a contract with a major home energy business.

2Touch handles telephone and Internet marketing for blue-chip organisations such as Britvic, Natwest, Toyota GB and The Royal Mail.

Marketing manager Gareth Smith said: "We can't reveal who the new customer is, only that it is a home energy business and competitor to the likes of British Gas.

"The contract, won against fierce competition, is a further demonstration of 2Touch's ability to attract major clients, and is reward for the commitment shown by all at the Sunderland workforce."

He added: "The deal will run into millions of pounds over the course of the contract, and will mean an extra 150 jobs being created over the next couple of months."

The jobs will include call centre operators and client service operators.