Talk Talk plans job cuts in Northampton and Preston

Telecoms company Talk Talk is to axe 218 jobs by closing its Northampton call centre and outsourcing jobs in Preston.

The firm said it was consulting with the affected staff, who include 168 people employed in Northampton and 50 staff in Lancashire.

However, 250 engineering jobs will be created through the launch of the YouView TV service later this year.

Talk Talk said its call centre was receiving fewer calls than in the past.

At Preston, where 250 staff are employed, work will transfer to a contractor who will take on 200 Talk Talk employees.

Talk Talk said it hoped some staff would transfer to jobs available at Warrington, Cheshire, and Stornoway, in the Western Isles in Scotland.

A spokesman said: "There will be significant new opportunities for existing employees at Preston, Stornoway and Warrington.

"Talk Talk will be working with affected employees to maximise opportunities to transfer to new roles and thereby minimise job losses in a year that, ultimately, will see more UK roles created than lost.