WORK has started on the new headquarters of a Wirral business which will bring 400 jobs to the borough.

The Contact Company - Britain's largest call centre operator - will be the first employer at Wirral Waters when its new offices are completed later this year.

Wirral Council leader Cllr Phil Davies joined Alex Karolemeas, director of the Contact Company, on site to day to celebrate the work's start.

"The Contact Company will be the first commercial organisation to call Wirral Waters home," said Cllr Davies.

"Economic growth and job creation is one of the highest priorities for this Labour council and this development is a remarkable opportunity to drive forward regeneration and growth on the Wirral.

"We are delighted Alex and his team have invested in Birkenhead and together with the opening of Wirral Metropolitan College on the site later this year, it indicates a bright new future lies ahead for Birkenhead."

The Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone project is being developed by Peel Holdings and is forecast to see billions of pounds invested in the waterfront site.

It will "transform over 500 acres of the Birkenhead docklands into an internationally recognisable destination where innovation, sustainability and industry will thrive, and 25 miles of coastline stretches from your doorstep" according to Peel's marketing.

Last month construction firm Morgan Sindall was reported to be close to completing a £35m contract to build a major manufacturing facility on the Wirral Waters site.

Cllr Davies added: "The Mersey waterfront is world-famous and we are hard at work with numerous partners, business organisations and European funding agencies to attract investment to the Wirral.

"The Contact Company are leading the way, this project has the possibility to transform the future of Birkenhead and marks the start of a bright new chapter in Wirral's economic story."