FIVE hundred jobs are to be created in the latest in a string of a telephone call centres to come to west central Scotland, Prime Minister Tony Blair announced yesterday.

Colorado-based TeleTech Holdings said the number of jobs at its European flagship site could rise within a year, and held out the prospect of further centres being set up across the country.

Speaking during a visit to a facility in Glasgow which offers call centre training, the Prime Minister said the jobs boost was further evidence of Scotland's growing reputation in the customer care field. There are around 130 call centres in Scotland employing more than 16,000 people, with more expected to open this year.

Mr Blair added: ''The 500 new jobs is tremendous, it will be a great boost to the Scottish economy.''

He said the training programme run by the Wise Group would help bring young unemployed people into the growing labour market in the call centre sector.

The development, at Cardonald Park in Glasgow, will offer telephone, video and Internet support for the customers of a variety of international companies.

TeleTech chief executive Kenneth Tuchman said yesterday: ''Glasgow is an ideal location for our flagship operation. We are very much attracted to the city by its people and its telecommunications infrastructure.''

TeleTech employs more than 8000 people and has 17 call centres throughout the world. Its clients include companies in financial services, healthcare, travel and transport, and Government bodies.

Mr Tuchman added: ''Our plans are to expand well beyond the 500 employees.

''Our goal is that, within 12 months of opening this facility, we would be able to announce additional jobs and look for additional locations in Scotland.''

Scottish Industry Minister Brian Wilson said the reputation of Scotland's workforce had been a key factor in persuading TeleTech to choose Glasgow.

He added: ''There is no doubt that other countries were considered and that Scotland won because of the package we were able to offer.

''We cannot, however, be complacent and that is why the Government is determined to maintain Scotland's competitiveness by continuing to improve the training and skills of our workforce.''

The project was secured by Locate in Scotland in partnership with the Glasgow Development Agency and Glasgow City Council.

Mr Martin Togneri, director of Locate in Scotland, said the announcement strengthened Scotland's position as the ''call centre capital of Europe''.