The UK’s fastest-growing parcel-delivery company is set to create up to 55 jobs at a new depot.

DPD has invested £2.5m in a new base which it opened in June and is set to take on more staff as it becomes fully operational by Christmas.

The 36,000 sq ft site in Fawkes Avenue, Questor, Dartford, will particularly serve Bluewater shopping centre, as well as customers in south London and parts of Kent.

It will handle growing levels of business-to-consumer packages, after moving from its former base in Kennet Road, Crayford.

Able to handle 8,000 parcels a day, the new building will cover 50 new routes and ease pressure on the company’s depots in London, Croydon and Maidstone.

DPD chief executive Dwain McDonald said: “The level of investment in our network this year is unprecedented.

“Our new purpose built depot in Dartford gives us a huge advantage in terms of location and sorter technology, meaning we can increase the number of parcels we handle and service more routes cost effectively.

“Dartford is part of our ongoing programme of expansion, enabling us to increase our capacity, ensuring we are always several steps ahead of the competition and the growing demand for our services.”

DPD announced an ambitious expansion programme in April which would see it build 15 new depots this year.

In July it became the first UK carrier to provide a nationwide express Sunday delivery service for all its customers.