AROUND 150 full-time jobs are to be created during next year in Selkirk.

Hinduja Global Solutions Ltd has announced that it will be carrying out a 12-months site investment programme at its Riverside base.

The news comes just a week after nearby Spark Energy was bought over - saving around 400 jobs.

The HGS Global jobs boost follows meetings between the company's CEO, Partha DeSarkar and Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, in Bangalore to discuss company's commitment to the Scottish Borders and opportunities for the future.

Mr DeSarkar, along with Adam Foster, CEO Europe, impressed upon the Deputy First Minister his appreciation of the Selkirk workforce and their contribution to the successful performance of the business.

He said: “I’m delighted to have met with the Deputy First Minister and to confirm HGS’s commitment to Scotland with the acquisition of our site in Selkirk.

"We are excited to bring continued economic growth to the location and I am pleased to say that HGS will be offering up to 150 new job opportunities to the region over 2019.

"The location and people of Scotland deliver best-in-class performance for our growing roster of clients.”

HGS serves a variety of businesses from its Selkirk centre, both public and private sector, covering consumer goods, healthcare, technology, media and telecom, and financial services.

The expansion of the Selkirk site is expected to be complete by the end of 2019 and will include the newly revamped employee break-out area and refit throughout.

Mr Swinney is delighted with the commitment. he told us: “Hinduja Global Solutions are highly valued investors and I am delighted with their continued growth in Scotland.

"The creation of 150 new permanent jobs in Selkirk in addition to the security for the 265 existing employees there is fantastic news for the local community.

"It has been a pleasure to meet Partha to discuss Hinduja Global Solution’s significant investment in Selkirk and hear his enthusiasm for Scotland. This is a clear confirmation of Scotland’s attractiveness to inward investors.”