Tesco has ramped up its Christmas delivery slots offering this year with thousands more available in the fortnight leading up to the big day.

Alongside additional slots, the supermarket has added 60 more delivery vans to its fleet this year to boost capacity.

It comes as Tesco has already increased the capacity of its rapid delivery service, Whoosh, with thousands of extra slots available on Christmas Eve this year.

Tesco online managing director Tom Denyard said: “We’re looking forward to helping customers across the UK pick up their family favourites or treat themselves to something special this festive season.

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“As we help customers plan ahead for their Christmas shop this year, we are excited to be providing increased capacity with thousands of extra slots available in the fortnight leading up to Christmas Day.”

Tesco has urged customers to sign up for a Delivery Saver plan to secure early access to online slots over the festive period. Those signed up to the Saver plan or the click-and-collect plan can access delivery slots a week earlier than other shoppers, from 6am on 5 November.

However, general access for all customers will open a week earlier than last year at 6am on 12 November.

Denyard added: “Delivery Saver plans not only give you early access to slots this Christmas, but they can also save you an amazing £176 a year on delivery or collection fees.”

It comes as Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy said the grocery giant is “betting on a good Christmas” as customers begin to trade up and sales of its premium ranges soar.