DPD will create up to 700 new jobs in response to rapid growth in weekend deliveries, the firm has said.

It is seeking to employ part-time, dedicated weekend delivery drivers to handle a 40% increase in parcels on Saturdays and Sundays during the past year.

The parcel firm attributes the volumes surge to general growth in e-commerce and more retailers promoting the option of weekend deliveries. Fashion and electronic devices are the fastest growing sectors for DPD.

The company, which was launched a nationwide seven-day service in July 2014, anticipates the number of dedicated weekend drivers will continue to grow and is planning for more than 1,000 such drivers in 12 months’ time.

In addition, DPD confirmed that 100 new warehouse jobs had been created in the firm's regional depot network, to support the increased traffic.

Dwain McDonald, DPD CEO, said: "We've been amazed by the demand for our weekend service and we're obviously delighted to be able to create more new jobs, as a result.

“We were the first major delivery company to offer a nationwide seven-day service, which gave us a real advantage, but this ongoing growth is yet another example of the march of UK e-tail.”

He added: “Our proposition is really well suited to weekend deliveries.  We don't turn up out of the blue and interrupt your weekend.  We deliver within a sensible time window and customers know in advance exactly when we are coming.”

DPD recently announced a £150m investment to build Europe's largest automated parcel hub in Hinckley, Leicestershire, creating a further 750 jobs.

The parcel firm has been shortlisted in a number of categories at this year's MT Awards.

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