- Home
- News
- Sport
- Business
- Technology
- Health
- Culture
- Arts
- Travel
- Destinations
- Africa
- Antarctica
- Asia
- Australia and Pacific
- Caribbean & Bermuda
- Central America
- Europe
- Middle East
- North America
- South America
- World’s Table
- Culture & Experiences
- Adventures
- The SpeciaList
- Earth
- Audio
- Video
- Live
Amazon has become the first retailer in the UK to start a drone delivery service with a limited launch in Darlington, County Durham.
Packages weighing less than 5lb (2.2kg) and containing everyday items are now being delivered within a 7.5 mile (12km) radius of Amazon's fulfilment centre - in as little as two hours.
The tech giant says it can carry out a maximum ten flights an hour, or up to a hundred deliveries a day on weekdays, as part of its limited launch - but hopes to slowly expand the service as the demand for ultra-fast deliveries grows.
Drones are already being trialled by the NHS to deliver blood supplies in London and Royal Mail is using them to send sending packages to remote communities in Orkney.
But this is the first time it's being used for everyday shopping. Darlington is currently the only place outside the US where Amazon is doing drone deliveries. But the service is still at an early stage with testing expected to continue.
ShareSave
Why is Japan rethinking its anti-war stance?
Japan's PM is pushing to revise country's pacifist constitution - and it's causing controversy.
Newborn calf rescued after tumbling into river
Daisy had fallen into slurry and mud just after she was born, the fire service said.
World snooker champion receives hero’s homecoming in China
Wu Yize, 22, was met with screaming fans at his first public appearance since his world title win - with the BBC's Stephen McDonell amongst the crowd.
How operation to disembark passengers on virus-hit cruise will work
The BBC's Guy Hedgecoe reports from Tenerife, where some locals fear the ship's arrival could bring health risks.
Kneecap vs Mel C: Who will win the album chart battle?
What do an Irish language rap group, Sporty Spice and the King of Pop have in common?
Marco Rubio meets Pope Leo amid tensions with Trump over Iran war
Leo, the first American pontiff, drew Trump's ire after becoming a firm critic of the war and the administration's hardline immigration policies.
Who is Kumanjayi Little Baby and why has her death caused outrage in Australia?
The BBC's Katy Watson explains the case, the cultural sensitivities and why it has caused so much anger.
'If I didn't wake my neighbour after an arson attack it could have been different'
Elise Conroy raised the alarm after the attack outside the house in Carryduff on Wednesday morning.
Derby-built monorail begins Cairo service
The new system, using Alstom's Innovia monorail platform, is expected to transport up to 45,000 passengers an hour in each direction.
The camera car catching bad parkers
The vehicle has caught over 1,500 offenders in the first month
One-minute World News
Watch the latest news summary from BBC World News. International news updated 24 hours a day.
Tenerife resident calls docking of hantavirus ship 'reckless'
People on Tenerife in the Canary Islands have told the BBC they are concerned about the arrival of MV Hondius.
Watch: Passengers told virus-hit ship 'not infectious' after first death
YouTuber Ruhi Çenet was on board the ship, and filmed the announcement made on 12 April.
The 22-year-old driving his friends for takeaways in a restored bus
Luke Wilson has spent almost £10,000 on buying, preserving and restoring his two old buses.
US driver arrested after chasing down child on bike on footpath
Video captures a young boy on a bike fleeing a car that mounted a footpath in Washington State.
Why are there no elections in Northern Ireland?
Why are there no elections in Northern Ireland this year?
Trump pauses 'Project Freedom' after two days
President Trump has suspended anoperation to guide ships through the Strait of Hormuz - BBC Verify explains the timeline.
Swindon's biggest-ever local elections looming
Polling stations will open from 07:00 BST until 22:00 for Swindon's biggest-ever local elections.
Moment former FedEx driver sentenced to death for killing Athena Strand
During the proceedings, the seven-year-old victim's uncle told the court that Athena's killing took 'a piece of every single person who loved her'.
Watch: Passengers evacuated from virus-hit cruise ship off Cape Verde
The Dutch foreign ministry confirmed that a British, German and Dutch national had now been taken from the virus-hit ship.
