JOB-SEEKERS can find out more about joining the growing ranks of call centre workers in the North-East tonight.

A recruitment open evening will be held at Southwick Job Centre, Stoney Lane, Sunderland, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Banking firm Lloyds TSB is looking for customer service staff for its recently-opened call centre in Sunderland.

When fully operational, the centre will employ 750 people.

Representatives of the bank, the Employment Service and recruitment consultants will give advice.

The recruitment campaign will continue until June next year.

l Call centre staff are at risk from a new disorder known as telesales elbow, which can result in claw-like fingers and pain, experts have warned.

Caused by poor posture, the condition was identified after a teenage double glazing salesman complained of pains in his fingers, after making up to 100 calls a night.

Dr Mark Lewis, a neurologist at St James Hospital, in Leeds, said telesales staff needed proper training and equipment, such as headsets, to encourage better posture. Staff receive training, but experts fear many slip into bad habits.

More than 20,000 people are employed in the call centre industry in the North-East.