Parcelforce Worldwide has launched a new delivery notification service which it hopes will improve convenience for business customers and consumers.

The investment new technology follows a £75m funding boost for its hubs and depots, which was revealed in 2012.

In the last 12 months, the company has expanded its site in Newport  and opened a new site in Milton Keynes, as well as a purpose-built hub in Chorley, Lancashire.

For the first time, the firm's business customers will be able to send a delivery notification on the day of despatch, the day of delivery and a notification 90 minutes and 30 minutes before the parcel is due to arrive.

Rather than using route-planning software, the delivery notification is triggered by the delivery driver to ensure the time window is accurate.

Parcelforce Worldwide MD Gary Simpson said: “We are pleased to be launching our new SMS and email interactive service to increase customer control over the delivery of a parcel. Parcelforce Worldwide is committed to developing services to ensure we meet the changing demands of businesses, online retailers and their customers.”

Recipients will also be able to arrange for their parcel to be delivered on a different day, to a different address, or to a Post Office.

Rival carrier DPD recently upgraded its delivery notification service, called 'Predict', to allow recipients to choose how they want their parcel to be delivered.