SHOPPERS snapped up garden furniture and sportswear as a string of sunny days drove retail sales higher last month.
Spending showed little sign of being affected by interest rate rises as sales volumes increased by 0.8 per cent last month.
Warm weather boosted demand for outdoor products, while the build-up to Euro 2004 also played a part in lifting sportswear sales.
The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics mean sales are now 7.4 per cent ahead of a year ago - the highest rate of growth since April 2002.
Economists believe the data will increase pressure on the Bank of England to raise interest rates again.
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