Amazon to hire more than 15,000 staff for festive season

The jobs will be based across the company's UK network of centres and delivery stations

Online giant Amazon is to hire more than 15,000 staff to help service customers during the busy festive season.

The jobs will be based across the company's UK network of centres and delivery stations.

Amazon said pay rates will start at a minimum of £13.50 an hour, rising to £14.50 depending on location.

Operations director Anil Verma said: "We prepare year-round for the festive season, and we're excited to have more than 15,000 positions available this year in the UK."

"Our seasonal colleagues play an integral role in helping us deliver an exceptional experience for our customers."

"We look forward to welcoming back seasonal workers who return year after year to Amazon, and to welcoming new faces to the team."

Amazon also announced the start of operations at its new fulfilment centre in Eastwood, Nottingham, offering jobs including engineers, HR and IT professionals, health & safety and finance specialists, and operations managers, as well as staff who pick, pack and ship customer orders.

Regional director Prashant Pandey said: "This is the eighth fulfilment centre in the East Midlands region a further sign of our commitment to the communities in which we operate."