Middlesbrough jobs boost from Axa insurance firm

An insurance company has said it is expanding its operations on Teesside because of the quality of the local workforce.

Axa has taken out a 10-year lease on the newly-refurbished Zetland Buildings in Middlesbrough, leading to the creation of 450 jobs.

The company already employs 450 in its Stockton office.

Middlesbrough Council said it was delighted at the news, which would benefit local people.

Mandy Muer from Axa said local people had been the key to the company's success in the area.

"We've always been able to recruit the high quality people we need," she said.

"We just wanted to build on that success and continue in the local area."