United Kingdom, Sept. 14 -- Amazon says it is close to securing approval to expand its drone delivery service across the whole of Darlington, marking a major step towards bringing autonomous deliveries to more customers across the UK.

The technology giant launched a limited Prime Air trial in the County Durham town in February, allowing eligible customers within a 7.5-mile radius of its UK test site to receive selected items by drone.

Following more than 500 flights and deliveries, Amazon has now applied to the Civil Aviation Authority for permission to extend coverage across the entire town.

David Carbon, vice-president of Prime Air, said the company expects approval "very soon" and that the long-term ambition is to make drone deliver...