Sunnier weather helped boost high street sales for the seventh consecutive week this year, according to BDO High Street Sales Tracker figures.
Overall sales for the week ending March 7 were up almost 10% (9.2%) on the same week last year.

Homewares sales were up 7.1% with demand in most areas up, admittedly helped by weak comparisons.

Furniture sales improved significantly, while sales of general household items such as linen, glass and cookware were also higher.

BDO LLP's head of retail Don Williams said: "The combination of the run up to Mother's Day and the start of sunny weather meant another great week for Britain's high street retailers."