SCOTTISH Gas has sparked a jobs rush.

The energy giant is to hire more staff at its call centre in Uddingston in South Lanarkshire, as part of a nationwide recruitment programme.

Gas chiefs plan to recruit up to 20 new workers at the centre to improve customer services. Across the UK, the business is hiring 300 new call centre staff.

The recruitment drive will also see the company create 60 new jobs at another call centre, in Edinburgh. The double boost was unveiled by the company's managing director Kevin Roxburgh.

He said: "Our customer service team is vital to the success of our company so we're very pleased to be creating more new roles for advisors in our award-winning contact centres in Edinburgh and Uddingston.

"By ensuring we have the right people with the correct knowledge and expertise to help, we can make certain our customers get a quick response and resolution to their queries."

He added: "These new jobs are critical to helping our customers with everything from bills and boiler breakdowns to engineer visits and energy efficiency, so we're looking for people dedicated to providing excellent service."

Scottish Gas was praised for the jobs initiative and for creating employment opportunities at its UK call centres rather than outsource the work abroad.

Edinburgh MP Mark Lazarowicz said: "I very much welcome this announcement of new jobs at Granton and also in Uddingston. It is a tribute to the service provided by the staff at these centres that Scottish Gas are recruiting these additional staff, which will be a great boost for local employment.

Scottish Gas is part of British Gas, which is generating hundreds of new jobs at call centres in Manchester, Stockport, Leeds, Leicester and Oldbury.

The new recruits won't man the phones until they have undergone comprehensive training, with management pledging to ensure staff are able to deliver an "excellent customer experience."

The fuel provider is a major employer in the UK. It has a 28,000-strong workforce.

Potential new recruits can find out more details online and on social media at www.britishgasjobs.co.uk or @britishgasjobs on Twitter.