Amazon's Cloud Drive online storage service is now available in the five biggest consumer markets in Europe, having been extended to Italy and Spain following recent launches in the UK, Germany and France.

The facility allows customers to store and access their digital files on the web using the Cloud Drive PC and Mac Desktop apps, or from any web browser.

It will also be available on the new Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD tablets, which could prompt a boost in demand for Amazon delivery services when they arrive on UK shores towards the end of October 2012.

The online retailer pointed out that the combination of the handheld device and Cloud Drive means users can store and view photographs in high-definition wherever they are, with the option of saving albums from Facebook.

All customers get 5GB of free storage and additional plans providing extra space are available from £6 a year.

Russell Dicker, Amazon's Cloud Drive director, said: "Now you never have to worry about losing important documents or photos to hard drive crashes, or not being able to access files that are spread between a number of devices.

"Cloud Drive stores digital files like photos, videos and documents all in one place that is easily accessible from any PC or Mac - and coming soon in Europe, Kindle Fire."

The introduction of the Amazon tablet to EU markets this month is likely to make the pre-Christmas shopping period even busier for the company, possibly resulting in more business for providers of UK delivery services.

It was recently announced that the online retail giant is preparing for a hectic festive season by taking on over 10,000 temporary workers at its British distribution centres, which are based in Hemel Hempstead, Doncaster, Dunfermline and five other locations.

Founded in 1995, Amazon states that its aim is to become the world's "most consumer-centric company", selling everything customers might want to buy online.

Author:  Adrian Medland