FINANCIAL giant Skandia Group is set to create another 450 jobs in Southampton, the Echo can reveal.

The company, which has just announced record breaking increases in business, is looking to take on the new permanent and temporary employees this year.

Last year the investments and pensions company, which has been established in Southampton since 1979, saw business soar by a bumper 106 per cent with new premium income reaching £3.8 billion.

Skandia is now looking to create around 250 full-time jobs in Southampton during 2001 alongside recruiting approximately 200 temporary staff to help out during busy peak periods. Business levels are accelerating so hard that Skandia is about to move into Liberty House in Commercial Road, its fifth headquarter property in the city centre.

Skandia already has staff working in its distinctive base opposite the Civic Centre together with Mountbatten House, just off Bedford Place, Queen's Keep and the BBC building.

Jo Gilbey, Skandia's spokesman in Southampton, said: "We aim to provide an attractive working environment for staff and have therefore decided to expand into a fifth head office location.

"This mirrors the tremendous success of Skandia which is growing rapidly and another building will help us ensure we can meet thechallenges of the future."

For more details see our Business section.