Amazon Coalville has completed a major expansion at its Ellistown fulfilment centre.

The year-long project has increased the capacity of the site by a third – and without increasing the 1M sq ft footprint of the building, which is the equivalent of 15 football pitches.

A four-storey pick tower has been built inside the fulfilment centre, which not only increases the building's capacity, but also enables the team to manage a greater variety of products.

The centre employs in the region of 1,000 people and focuses on larger items ranging from bulk pet food, large screen TVs and garden furniture.

Amazon Coalville General Manager Tracey Foster said the project has been a massive challenge.

She said: "Taking on this project while continuing to operate the building and deliver for our customers has been a real test of our team – and they've been fantastic.

"We've had to relocate departments, change the way we operate, and make frequent adjustments to the work flow through the building.

"I can't emphasis enough just how good the Coalville team has been throughout this and it's been a real treat to celebrate the completion of the project with everyone on site."

The Amazon Coalville team celebrated the opening last month with a Halloween-themed event.

And the new area was officially opened by North West Leicestershire Councillor Keith Merrie MBE.

Cllr Merrie said: "It's fantastic to see Amazon investing in what is clearly already a state-of-the-art fulfilment centre.

"It's a significant employer, not only providing hundreds of jobs in the area but a wide variety of skills and career opportunities."