High street giant Marks & Spencer said that it had overcome the severe weather over Christmas after recording its biggest ever day in food sales.

The retailer, led by former Morrisons boss Marc Bolland who left the Bradford firm to join M&S last March, said promotions helped food sales achieve a record of more than £50 million on December 23, while UK like-for-like sales in the 13 weeks to January 1 grew at a better-than-expected 2.8 per cent .

The company estimated that adverse weather conditions had a one per cent impact on food sales and three per cent on general merchandise. The retailer said UK food sales grew 1.8 per cent in the third quarter, while general merchandise, which includes clothing, rose by 3.8 per cent. Mr Bolland said: “Marks & Spencer traded well through the important Christmas period.”