One of the leading national recruiters has warned that a “perfect storm” of issues means there will be fewer delivery drivers than the country needs this Christmas.

A combination of older drivers retiring, a “shocking” road network, long hours, “poor pay” and driving test delays mean deliveries will be missed, according to Berry Recruitment.

Lee Gamble, managing director of the company, which has a branch in Lynn and works across the UK, said vacancies routinely go unfilled and the situation is only likely to get worse.

With parents relying on delivery companies to receive presents they have ordered, the situation could lead to thousands of upset children.

“This is the worst I have known it since I began in 1998 – and many drivers who are recruited have little or no experience, especially if they are from overseas,” Mr Gamble said.

“Many older drivers when they need a medical or have to renew their CPC qualification are retiring instead or finding less arduous jobs.

“Younger workers are held back by the length of time it takes to get a driving test, causing some who would previously have taken a driving job to try something else.

“Furthermore, the awful state of the road network makes driving far less attractive. And it’s not just the potholes, but all the road works and congestion that lead to long delays.

“Delivery companies work with tiny margins and high volume and this puts added pressure on drivers.”

Mr Gamble believes the situation is only likely to worsen, and could result in drone deliveries becoming the norm in years to come.

His company’s research suggests that a significant proportion of those leaving the industry are in their 30s and 40s, and it now estimates that 60,000 drivers need to be trained each year for the next five years to meet demand and support growth.