TNT is to build a new 600,000ft² hub in Dartford.

It announced its plans for the new facility just months after its new Swindon hub became operational last year (pictured).

TNT said it had chosen the site just off junction 1a of the M25 because of its links to London, the south east and to cross-channel transport links.

Developer Exton Estates said it should hand over the building in September, and TNT expects the site to be fully operational by Q2 2017.

TNT's most recent financial year showed the company had made progress in the run-up to its takeover by FedEx.

It reduced its pre-tax loss from €190m in 2014 to €56m (£43.5bn) for the year ended 31 December 2015, and its revenue increased to €6.9bn from the previous year's €6.7bn.