jobs could be lost at the massive Vertex call centre in Manchester Road, Bolton.

Vertex, which is part of Warrington-based United Utilities, currently employs 1,000 people there and a further 1,500 in other operations in Essex and Bedford, proving customer services for Powergen electricity and gas customers. Staff have been told that the equivalent of up to 1,000 jobs could go across the three sites by the end of 2004 by natural wastage.

But cost savings in other areas of the business could reduce this number and staff could be redeployed. A Vertex spokesman said compulsory redundancies were not planned and there was no set job reduction figure for any of the sites.

Discussions have started with the Unison union and representatives have been told: "Staff reductions will be managed through attrition, redeployment (including agency staff where possible) and release of agency staff if no alternative.

"We are not embarking on a drive to seek volunteers for voluntary severance."

Manchester Road staff deal with a number of contracts, including one for TXU Energi gas and electricity customers. The German-owned Powergen company includes the former Norweb Energi business.

Norweb Energi, which used to be part of United Utilities, was sold to American company TXU Europe for £310 million before being bought in October last year by Powergen.

The scaling down of Vertex customer service operations follows discussions on Powergen's requirements.