Carphone Warehouse is to create 1,000 jobs over the next year as it opens more shops and a new call centre in Warrington.

News of the extra jobs came as the mobile phone retailer reported a jump in profits amid optimism that the sector is seeing more growth against a backdrop of increased competition

The acquisition of Opal Telecom a year ago has "proved a winning move", according to the company, making Carphone Warehouse a "significant, profitable and fast growing player in the business telecoms market".

The company also reckons that as competition between operators hots up, and new kit hits the market, punters are even more in need of independent advice from the likes of Carphone Warehouse, to help them decide which package is best for them.

As a result, Carphone Warehouse has seen subscriber numbers increase during the last quarter and it says it is looking forward to good trading over Christmas and the new year.

Publishing results for the six months to the end of September, the company reported that turnover dipped four per cent from £861 million last year £825 million.

Pre-tax profit, though, soared 70 per cent from £12 million to £20.3 million.

Said chipper chief exec Charles Dunstone: "As the group enters a phase of strong growth, we need to invest more in recruiting high quality employees and we expect to create a further 1,000 jobs over the next 12 months through new store openings, our new call centre in Warrington, and supporting the business units from the centre."

Shares in Carphone Warehouse were up 1.75p (1.35 per cent) at 131.5p in early trading. ®