TESCO Bank has announced plans to create 300 new jobs as it expands its banking division in Glasgow.

Banking bosses said the jobs would be split between the bank's main offices in the city's Renfield Street and Edinburgh's South Gyle Crescent.

The bank is recruiting 240 customer service roles, as it prepares to launch a current account next year.

A spokesman confirmed an additional 58 head office positions will be created, including jobs in marketing and legal services.

Chief executive Benny Higgins said: "We are making excellent progress towards the launch of our current account next year. The recruitment of these new roles is an important milestone in that process."

Tesco bosses said the positions are permanent and the majority will be full time posts.

In 2009, Tesco announced plans to create 800 jobs, with the completion of its Glasgow premises in Renfield Street.

Tesco Bank offers more than 30 different financial products, ranging from car and home insurance to loans and savings accounts.

The retail giant launched its banking operation, as a partnership with the Royal Bank Of Scotland, before taking full control in 2008.

Since then, Tesco Bank staff numbers have grown from 200 to 4000 - based across main offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.

The move comes days after Tesco Bank said it had seen sales rise by 0.9% year-on-year in the period.

Tesco Bank have also revealed plans to launch its first ever current account in the middle of next year. The bank opted to wait until new account switching rules came into force in September before launching the current account.

rebecca.gray@eveningtimes.co.uk