Amazon has announced the opening of a new delivery station in Washington in Sunderland - the 13th the online shopping giant owns in the UK. 

Approximately 20 new members of staff will be directly employed at the site by Amazon, while some 200 drivers will be hired by the nine local delivery companies partnered with to fulfil orders. 

The technology and logistics platform of is designed to empower independent, regional and national delivery companies across the UK to deliver Amazon parcels to customers seven days a week. 

Amazon's Sunday deliveries have proven particularly successful, recording four-fold growth over the past 12 months. 

UK director for Amazon Logistics Jamie Stephenson said: "Amazon Logistics adds capacity and flexibility to Amazon's delivery network, enabling us to meet the delivery needs of customers."

He added that his firm supports local economies by providing small local businesses with state of the art technology to deliver Amazon orders.