The number of seasonal jobs on offer is down by a third compared with a year ago, new research suggests.

Firms are advertising around 13,600 roles in the run up to Christmas, according to jobs site Adzuna.

The virus crisis is changing the type of work on offer, with more cleaning, logistics and delivery jobs being advertised.

Topping the list of companies still looking for seasonal staff are parcel courier company Yodel, Royal Mail and online tutoring platform Tutorful, said Adzuna.

Delivery driver roles are plentiful, boosted by the Christmas online shopping boom

With much of this year’s Christmas shopping expected to be online creating the need for more delivery drivers and warehouse pickers, there are plenty of logistics and warehouse roles on offer, accounting for 40% of positions, the study found.

Andrew Hunter, co-founder of Adzuna, said: “Jobseekers seeking festive work this Christmas need to think creatively to secure a role.

“There are fewer jobs on offer than usual, with retail positions thin on the ground and more people competing for each opening.

“However, the pandemic has created some new seasonal opportunities. Delivery driver roles are plentiful, boosted by the Christmas online shopping boom.

“There is also strong demand for online tutors to help children catch up on the school work they may have missed earlier in the year.

“Christmas cover in health and social care also remains critical, and as we face Covid at Christmas, new seasonal positions are emerging for deep cleaning experts and Christmas concierges to look after empty city buildings.”