A FLEDGLING telemarketing business that rose from the ashes of call centre firm Garlands is hiring 30 staff after winning new orders.

Last autumn Rachel Barnes and Sharon Atkinson launched Call Agents UK after being made redundant following the shock collapse of Garlands last May.

Now the dynamic duo are on a recruitment drive after building a client base of more than 40 - including a string of international customers.

The business, which currently employs five staff, started out as a standard call answering service but has branched into telemarketing in a bid to grow revenues.

Although turnover and profit projections are kept under wraps, Ms Barnes claims the business has potential to boost staff numbers to 70 within two years.

“A lot of people around here have very good customer service skills - if not excellent.

“Those who are out of work can apply these skills to our industry. There’s not much scope for jobs around here except in call centres and care work.”

The jobs boost could help Middlesbrough reduce its jobless rate of 7.6%, which puts the town joint top of Britain’s unemployment league table.

Analysts say the situation could get even worse once the full impact of Government spending cuts hits home.