Growth in the call centre sector is set to add about 200 jobs to the Bradford economy.

Call centre specialists Loop, a spin-off of water company Kelda, yesterday officially opened the doors to its new £5 million offices on the Mid Point business park, Thornbury.

The two-floor building is already home to more than 500 employees and new contracts mean management are likely to be looking for about another 80 staff.

The call centre could also see another 100 jobs if an insurance product by Sheffield company Build Assured is taken up by the market.

The firm is awaiting feedback from insurance companies and a spokesman said if the results were positive it could be recruiting within a month with the staff using the Loop site.

Loop was formed to look after customer services for Kelda's subsidiaries, including Yorkshire Water, but is now bidding for contracts outside the company and has added the National Blood Service and Kirklees Council to its list.

Managing director Alastair Thomson said: "The centre is a consolidation of our other sites in Bradford and most of the staff will be from the area.

"It is definitely a benefit being part of a big company like Kelda because the impression and reassurance that gives is very important to clients."

Mike Stathers, spokesman for Build Assured, said the company had been built around its new product and that the timing of the recruitment programme depended on acceptance by the insurance industry.

He said: "It will be a joint venture with Kelda in terms of the call centre only, we will be sharing the same facility.

"The Build Assured product is being considered by the market and as soon as it becomes operational jobs will be offered. This could be in the next month."