Direct marketing agency LBM is to create 300 new jobs in its Northern Irish call centre next year.

The company opened in Whiterock Business Park in Belfast last April and currently employs 300 people.

However, Belfast operations manager Gareth Murphy said yesterday that the business has outgrown that premises and is planning to move to a new building in the nearby Springvale Business Park next year.

"When we make the move to our new building in the Springvale Business Park, there's every likelihood that the growth that we have been enjoying will continue," he said. "We will double our workforce very quickly - quite probably within a six-month timeframe.

"This means career opportunities for people from outside the company and those we already employ.

"We're delighted to be in this strong position," he added. "Such was the volume of business that within a few months of opening we had a staff of 300."

The company is set to begin a recruitment drive to hire the extra staff it will need for its expanded operations next year.

LBM is the biggest UK-based direct marketing agency. Its clients include retailer Dixons, insurer Alliance & Leicester and telecoms company O2.