BOOK retailer Borders opened a new chapter yesterday by joining forces with Amazon to launch its first website for UK customers.

The chain, which also includes Books etc, started selling books, music, DVDs and videos as part of a "multi-year" deal.

It follows a similar move by Waterstones to launch its website through Amazon in 2001.

Under the arrangement, Amazon is providing Borders and Books etc with, among other things, technology services, site content and customer services.

Amazon has been running a similar site with Borders in the US for three years.

Borders UK managing director Philip Downer said: "This is our first e-commerce site in the UK and Borders.co.uk extends the wide choice, welcoming atmosphere and high service standards customers appreciate and respond to in our stores."