Up to 150 jobs are set to be created by Bexhill's largest private employer.

The posts will be based at insurance firm Hastings Direct's multi-million-pound call handling centre in Collington Avenue.

It is part of a huge expansion of the 750-employee company, which sells insurance cover by phone and the internet.

The announcement today delighted leaders of industry in Sussex and across Bexhill, which has an unemployment level of 2.6 per cent.

Malcolm Mitcheson, president of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, said: "Hastings Direct coming to Bexhill has brought an enormous number of job opportunities.

"It has also helped the town socially and culturally. It has been a great success story and news that it is creating even more jobs is absolutely splendid."

Mark Evershed, Rother District Council regeneration manager, said: "This is great news. We really value the employment opportunities created by Hastings Direct.

"We are delighted at its continued growth and hope that it continues."

Employees are already being sought by Hastings Direct bosses, who say people can earn up to £500 a month on top of their basic wages.

Christian Lippiatt, Hastings Direct's human resources manager, said: "We are determined employee numbers will grow."

Since its launch in January 1997, Hastings Direct has amassed more than 200,000 policyholders, with 500,000 forecast by 2005.

Call handlers at its 80,000sq ft Conquest House centre deal with more than three million inquiries a year, helping generate almost £200 million in premium income to date.

Hastings Direct is the trading name of Hastings Insurance Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Japanese-firm Aioi Insurance Company which has total assets of £16 billion.