More than 1000 temporary jobs are to be made available this year through Royal Mail as they prepare for their busiest time of the year.

Around 33,000 Christmas jobs will be available across the UK - over 10,000 more than the postal service's usual seasonal average.

They usually employ between 15,000 and 23,000 extra staff between October and January to help sort the influx of Christmas parcels and cards.

This year, around 1400 posts will be available in Scotland.

Royal Mail says that such a high number of workers is needed this year because of elevated parcel volumes due to an increase in online shopping caused by the coronavirus crisis.

The seasonal workers will support over 115,000 permanent postmen and women who sort and deliver the mail all year round.

Additional workers will also be required for Royal Mail’s new Covid-19 testing kit collection team.

Royal Mail has been recruiting festive temporary workers since the Second World War.

Royal Mail chief HR officer Sally Ashford said: “During these unprecedented times we believe it is critical that Royal Mail continues to deliver.

“We want to do our best to deliver Christmas for our customers and support the effort on the pandemic.

“This helps the whole country to celebrate and stay safe during these difficult times.”

Here's how to apply in Scotland:

Wishaw - Scottish Distribution Centre

Glasgow - Glasgow Mail Centre

Bathgate - Bathgate Delivery Office

Edinburgh - Edinburgh Mail Centre

Inverness - Inverness Mail Centre

Aberdeen - Aberdeen Mail CentLanarkshire - Glasgow Sorting Centre (Eurocentral ML1 4GP)

Kirkcaldy - Kilcaldy Delivery Office