A parcel delivery company has begun a recruitment drive in Kent after creating 65 jobs.

DPD is looking for drivers to join its owner-driver franchise programme, which gives recruits the opportunity to be their own boss at the fastest-growing major parcel delivery company in the UK.

It is searching for 33 drivers to join its Dartford depot and 32 to join in Larkfield, near Maidstone, as part of an expansion which has created 4,000 new jobs across the country in five years.

It has created more than 1,000 full-time driver jobs since the start of the year, each receiving full-training, although the positions are self-employed.

The company won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the innovation category this year for its one-hour delivery slot service, which notifies customers when their parcel will arrive so they do not have to wait in all day.

“We are expanding our network and our capacity nationwide to meet the continuing demand from our retail and other business customers..." - Dwain McDonald, DPD

The firm has invested £250 million in technology.

Chief executive Dwain McDonald said: “We are looking for people who are passionate about delivering a great customer service and being their own boss.

“We are expanding our network and our capacity nationwide to meet the continuing demand from our retail and other business customers.

“That means more opportunities for drivers in our Dartford and Maidstone depots, which are growing rapidly.

“We have invested in our technology, our people and our infrastructure consistently for a number of years now, so our drivers have the very best tools for the job and the level of support you’d expect from a successful and award winning company.”