Dixons, the high street electrical retailer, is holding "partnership" talks with Capita concerning the running of its giant call centre in Sheffield.

Exact details concerning the tie-up are still sketchy, although insiders fear that Dixons has already struck a major deal that could see the whole operation handed over to the support services organisation.

He insisted that the negotiations between the two companies were still at an early stage and that any deal would result in "positive improvements".

Dixons says it's looking at all ways in which Capita can help run the call centre, although it declined to say if this would include outsourcing the whole operation.

The Dixons spokesman added: "Jobs are secure, there is no question about that."

Dixons' call centre in Sheffield employs some 1,200 people handling customer calls concerns products, deliveries, complaints etc. ®