MORE than 200 jobs are to be created at a new call centre in Glasgow run by one of the UK's largest direct marketing firms.

Aquira, which was founded in 2007, said it is to open its new sales lab at the city's Pacific Quay after spending two years looking for a suitable location.

The centre has been part-funded by a £500,000 Regional Selective Assistance grant from Scottish Enterprise.

First Minister Alex Salmond welcomed the jobs boost, saying the company had been attracted by Glasgow's skilled workforce.

Mr Salmond said: "Up to two hundred new jobs is fantastic news for Glasgow, creating a very welcome boost to the local economy and presenting new business opportunities in the heart of the city's digital district.

"The Scottish Government and our agencies are entirely focused on working with business to create new jobs and Aquira will receive £500,000 of support through Scottish Enterprise.

"I know that Aquira have spent two years looking for just the right location to site their new specialist sales facility and it's no surprise to those of us familiar with Glasgow's skilled and dedicated workforce that they've chosen Scotland's biggest city."

Work at the centre will be based around telemarketing, mobile marketing, email marketing and social media marketing.

Marilyn Barnes, MD of Aquira, said: "Glasgow has a growing reputation as a great place to do business. That's why we chose to invest here.

"Our decision is based on extensive research and is a strong reflection on the city's commercial status and the highly skilled nature of the local workforce."

Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, added: "Aquira is a forward-looking and ambitious business with excellent potential for growth."