BOSSES have turned the first piece of turf on a new state-of-the-art call centre which will create 1,000 jobs when it opens later this year.

Rentokil Initial has begun work on the Initial Electronic Security call centre in Bridgewater Close, Burnley.

The building represents Initial's second alarm receiving centre in East Lancashire, following the first in Blackburn.

The centre will be manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year monitoring alarm systems for up to 100,000 companies.

It will provide a range of services including remote maintenance of alarms, viewing and listening to sites when alarms have been activated and providing internet access for customers to view their alarms and services.

The centre will also provide a back-up for calls received by the Blackburn centre.

Managing director Clive Hayton said: "It is of paramount importance to our customers that we are able to monitor and action their alarms at any time, no matter what is happening.

"The new alarm receiving centre demonstrates our commitment to provide that secure and dedicated service.

"It is an investment that looks set to keep us at the forefront of the electronic security industry."

Initial Electronic Security works from 46 branches across the UK installing, maintaining, servicing and monitors intruder alarm and fire systems.

The new 10,000 sq ft Burnley centre is set to be completed over the next few months.