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Amazon is to open its third fulfilment centre in the North West, with a new facility set to go live in Bolton next year.

The online retailer said it's continuing its UK expansion to meet increasing customer demand, offer a wider product selection and allow SMEs selling on its marketplace to grow their businesses.

The 1,200 jobs created by the new Bolton site will bring Amazon's permanent employee count in the North West to 3,500.

Stefano Perego, Amazon’s director of UK customer fulfilment, said: "Our ability to expand in the North West of England is the result of two things: incredible customers and an outstanding workforce."

The new Bolton fulfilment centre will be fitted with Amazon Robotics technology. This means the site will be equipped with robots that can slide under, lift and move warehousing shelves.

The retailer is also going to open a new central hub in Rugby in 2018.

This year, Amazon has opened new facilities in Daventry, Doncaster, Warrington and Tilbury, bringing its total number of UK fulfilment centres to 16.