High Street retailers enjoyed a slight uplift in takings during April, according to new figures released by BDO.

Overall sales were up by 1.7 per cent - fashion's new season boost, helped by an early Easter and sunny weather, was partly offset by weaker trade across some mainstream brands.

Like for like sales rose by 3.4 per cent, compared to an 8.4 per cent rise in March.

Non fashion sales were down by 3.2 per cent, compared to a 7.2 per cent rise in March, although homewares sales were up 4.7 per cent.

Sales through non store channels and online continued a strong run, with a monthly gain of over 46 per cent.

Don Williams, head of retail at BDO, said: "These results are slightly below expectations and despite relatively strong homeware spending, trade was sluggish."