Delivery drivers face prospect of record-breaking number of Christmas parcels

Thousands of van drivers recruited to ensure that the year's predicted 860m parcels are delivered on time, as online buying continues to soar

Van delivery drivers are gearing up for what is anticipated to be the biggest volume of parcels they have ever had to distribute, as shoppers hit their keyboards for a massive spending spree in the run-up to Christmas.

In the final three months of the year, retailers are expected to send out a fifth more parcels than in the same period last year and this is expected to peak on the US-inspired discount day known as Black Friday. This year's Black Friday - on 27 November - could be the UK's first 1bn sales day, analysts predict, as more retailers and shoppers than ever become involved.