Amazon UK has reduced the threshold for free delivery from £15 to £5, in an attempt to drive sales in the run-up to Christmas.

The change means that over 90 per cent of orders placed on Amazon will be delivered free.

Amazon managing director Brian McBride said: “It is to get people lifted for Christmas. Times are tough out there and this will come as a welcome bonus for people.”

Amazon is also gearing up to launch a clothing offer on its site similar to that of its US counterpart.