Telecoms giant BT is to create more than 100 new apprenticeship and graduate jobs in the region under a fresh recruitment drive.

The company said a large proportion of the new recruits will be based at Adastral Park, near Ipswich.

Jobs and apprenticeships will also be available in Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Chelmsford, Bedford, Cambridge, Norwich and Peterborough.

Across the UK, BT will take on around 1,400 new apprentices and graduates in a range of roles including cyber security and software development as well as research.

The jobs will be spread across BT, with EE and Openreach taking on large numbers.

Dave Hughes, BT’s director for the East of England, said the recruitment was “more excellent news for our region”.

“The new recruits will play a vital role in providing essential services and helping the region’s businesses and households make the most of technologies, which are transforming the way we live and work,” he added.

“High quality careers such as these are essential to the future success and prosperity of the East of England.”

The 1,400 apprenticeship and graduate jobs are in addition to the 1,700 the company has created over the past two years.

Skills minister Nick Boles welcomed the announcement which will boost the Government’s aim of creating three million more apprenticeships by 2020.

“These apprenticeships at BT will offer people the hands-on experience they need to succeed,” he added. “I would encourage more businesses to follow their lead and hire apprentices.”