Telephone survey firm Mori is opening a new call centre in Sussex, creating up to 45 jobs.

Mori Telephone Surveys aims to have the office fully operational by the time of the local government elections in May.

The Brighton and Hove operation will be headed by Sue Thorne.

But it was Mori managing director Rosemary Murrey, a former Hove schoolgirl, who chose the area for the location of the new centre because of the quality of workforce.

She said: "The decision was easy. I know the area like the back of my hand and I'm convinced we will find people with the qualities we need to run the operation."

Mori, which also has centres in London and Edinburgh, is used by organisations around the world to gauge public opinion. It is best known for its election polls.

The team will work from offices in Sheridan House, Western Road, Hove.

The centre will conduct research surveys with a wide variety of business and consumer groups as well as political polling.

Mrs Murrey added: "We are currently recruiting in the area and we are looking for people with good communication and language skills."