ENERGY giant E.ON, which was formerly a major employer in Ipswich, is to axe hundreds of more jobs in the East of England, it was revealed today.The German-based group is to close its call centre in Rayleigh, Essex, with the loss of up to 600 jobs.

EAST ANGLIA: Energy giant E.ON, which was formerly a major employer in Ipswich, is to axe hundreds of more jobs in the East of England.

The German-based group is to close its call centre in Rayleigh, Essex, with the loss of up to 600 jobs.

A further 200 posts will also go across the company, including 125 roles within its energy services business and 75 from its in-house technical support teams.

E.ON said it would be creating a “substantial” number of additional customer services roles elsewhere within the business.

The news comes just over two years since E.ON announced the closure of its offices at Wherstead Park, Ipswich, with the loss of 339 jobs.

Rayleigh was among the company's other sites to which some staff affected by the Ipswich closure were given the opportunity to relocate.

Both the Ipswich and Rayleigh sites were originally part of the Eastern Electricity company, later known as Eastern Group, which following privatisation had a succession of owners including Hanson, Energy Group and TXU.

Wherstead Park is now owned by the East of England Co-operative Society which has moved its head office to the site.