Amazon is expanding its Prime Air drone delivery trial to cover the whole of Darlington, as it seeks regulatory approval to eventually roll out the service across the UK. The scheme, launched in February with a limited radius around its County Durham site, marks Prime Air's first expansion outside the United States and is central to Amazon's ambitions to speed up deliveries while reducing road congestion.

More than 500 flights have already been completed, and Amazon is now applying to the Civil Aviation Authority for permission to cover the entire town, with approval expected "very soon". Eligible customers with a garden, yard or driveway can receive items under 5lb that fit into a shoebox within two hours, with the fastest delivery so far taking 39 minutes; about 68 per cent of typical orders qualify under the size and weight limits. The service is currently free for Prime members, though Amazon says this will be reviewed as it expands, and the trial has not been without incident, including an investigation launched in July after a drone crashed into a garden, alongside earlier resident concerns about noise and theft risk.