A deal with media company Sky provided a rescue package for the under-threat workforce at Telecom Service Centres in Larbert.

Over 300 posts were due to be axed at the end of July after the company lost a contract with T-Mobile when the phone giants decided to outsource the work to the Philippines.

Staff were facing a bleak summer until Tuesday's announcement by TSC chief executive officer David Turner that the new deal had been struck with Sky.

Speaking to The Falkirk Herald, he said: "Everyone is delighted that the jobs have been saved. There has been a lot of work going on behind the scenes and to secure this contract at the 11th hour is a real coup.

"When I made the announcement, everyone burst out cheering and was really excited by the news."

Acknowledging the strain the entire workforce has been under, he added: "I can well imagine the stress and anxiety they have been going through in the past few weeks.

"This contract with Sky not only takes their employment worries away, it brings a new, dynamic customer on to the TSC client list.

"Providing a quality service to an industry leader of the size and prestige of Sky is an exciting challenge but one I know we will deliver."

The CEO said it was a credit to the workforce, the way everyone had continued to work efficiently and diligently during a difficult period.

He added: "This just shows the strength of people in this business."

David Rumble, Sky's sales director, said: "We're really pleased to be working with TSC and look forward to developing a strong relationship.

This new contract has been awarded in response to strong customer
demand for all our products and will support our drive to make high definition TV accessible to even more households across the UK and Ireland."

Mr Turner praised politicians who had supported the efforts to safeguard the Larbert jobs.

After addressing staff, he gave details of the new contract to Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather.

Paying tribute to everyone's efforts to save the jobs, the Minister said: "This excellent news is a massive vote of confidence in the management and staff of TSC, who had faced uncertainty over their jobs for several months.

''This new contract will retain 300 jobs in Falkirk at a challenging time in the global economy."