Around 70 staff are expected to lose their jobs at NTL's call centre in Newport, South Wales.

The cableco confirmed on Friday that the centre - which employs 135 staff - is to shut.

NTL said the closure - code named "Project Nero" - was part of an "on-going drive to improve operating efficiency and identify opportunities to reduce costs".

The company declined to say how many jobs would be lost. However, insiders have told The Register that as many as half the workforce could be looking for new jobs when the site closes in November.

The operations handled by the Caradog House call centre - which provides back-up and support for NTL's Internet customers - will be transferred to Swansea 45-miles away.

Meanwhile, NTL's handling of closure has come under fire after an employee stumbled upon documents detailing "Project Nero".

Said one NTL employee, who asked to remain anonymous: "The closure will mean at least 50 per cent of people losing their jobs and all others relocated to the call centre in Swansea.

He accused bosses of "stabbing employees in the back" over the closure. ®