Ntl, the UK’s largest cable TV and broadband provider, is to use four recruitment agencies to fill 1,300 call centre jobs.

The firm intends to consolidate its 13 call centres into three super outlets in Glasgow, Manchester and Swansea.

Employment business ContactUs will recruit staff for 400 call centres jobs in Scotland, 350 in Manchester and 450 in Swansea.

Generalist recruiters OfficeAngels, Search and Hays will also help to find staff for the Manchester outlet.

Although Ntl is recruiting across all age groups, the company is actively encouraging the over-50s to apply. Malcolm Padley, PR director for Ntl, said: “A call centre environment is about dealing with and helping people, and the customer service and life skills that the over-50s bring can be particularly valuable.”

A spokesperson for charity Age Concern said: “It is very positive that Ntl have recognised the contribution that older people can make to the workforce. However, it is not just about recruitment. It is also about training and promotion.

"What we would be interested to know is how many over-50s are in management and director positions, and whether they have the chance to progress up the ladder.”

Samantha Mercer, campaign director for The Employers Forum on Age, which campaigns against discrimination in the workplace at any age, said: “While we welcome the news that Ntl are looking at the over-50s age group, we have to be careful about using stereotypes and allocating different attributes at a certain age.”