ONE of the country's first new pension centres will open next month in Simonstone providing 500 people with work.

The centre at Time Technology Park will be manned by some employees who will be transferring from other DSS offices but more than 300 staff will be new posts.

Pensions Minister and older people Ambassador Ian McCartney said: "This will provide a dedicated service where most business with older people will be conducted.

"The national pension service will operate to work with individual local pensioners in any way they wish, be it over the phone, face-to-face, by post or e-mail.

"We know the new service is wanted by older people because we've listened to them and some something about their desire for an improved service."