Saga has bought a six-storey office building in Hastings and has begun work on equipping it as a call centre with 800 staff.

Called One Priory Square, the building is in the Priory Quarter business district, created as part of an economic development scheme.

Saga says that the call centre, set to open in the New Year, was needed because its insurance arm was continuing to grow and attracting new customer.

Roger Ramsden, chief executive of Saga Insurance said: “Our customers like things done properly, and we rely on well-trained people, rather than irritating automated call answering.  Saga customers like a personal service and prefer speaking with people based in the UK.

“Hastings is an ideal location.  Priory Square is in the town centre and has good public transport links and the building will provide a great working environment. We aim to attract, train and keep the best talent that Hastings has to offer.”