Amazon is to bolster the UK launch of its Kindle Fire tablet by creating 5,000 full-time and temporary jobs in Blighty.

The web retailer will open three new distribution centres in Britain, and claims it will recruit 2,000 people on a permanent basis over the next two years - as well as 3,000 temporary workers during the run up to Christmas in 2012 to cope with increased orders.

Positions will also be opened in computing, management and human resources departments.

The expansion was announced as Amazon opened a 450,000 sq ft centre in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, creating 600 positions. The online bazaar has eight centres in the UK, and the new sites will be open by 2015.

The news came as the company unveiled three new next-gen Kindle Fire tablets, which it's hurling at Apple. ®