A KENT company is creating 50 jobs in Sittingbourne by expanding its operations.

Galleon CI – Customer Interface – which already has offices at Kent Science Park, off Broad Oak Road, in the town, will move to bigger premises on the site from the middle of February.

Tom Turcan, chairman of Galleon’s management committee, said the firm employs about 120 people at its offices.It has already taken on 30 more people over the past few months and plans to create another 50 posts when it moves its new home.

Galleon, owned by BBC Worldwide Magazines and Dennis Publishing, currently has offices in Somerset and a warehouse in Bristol, but plans to consolidate its operation at Kent Science Park.

Mr Turcan said staff from Somerset and Bristol were being asked if they wanted to move to Kent, but he expected most new posts to be taken by Sittingbourne and Sheppey people.

The new jobs will involve customer services, customer care representatives and warehouse staff.

Subscribers of BBC magazines such as Radio Times,

Top Gear and Gardeners’ World will be served from the new offices, as well as titles such as Maxim, This Week, Private Eye and Hello! magazine.

The company handles the customer services for about 50 titles and plans to expand its ability to handle internet and mobile phone services.

Mr Turcan said Sittingbourne had been chosen because of its proximity to London and its road and rail links. The Kent Science Park also offered a secure location with high quality buildings and services.

He added: “We are committed to Sittingbourne and we are growing. There is a plethora of opportunities for the company to pursue and this has got to be good news for the local economy.”