A SURGE in demand for digital cameras during Christmas helped Jessops to a festive record.

The photographic specialist saw overall sales increase 13.9 per cent in the five weeks to January 4, with the like-for-like figure ahead 8.3 per cent.

Sales peaked in the week starting December 15 as Jessops benefited from the record 3.5 million digital cameras sold in the UK last year.

Chief executive Derek Hine was delighted with the performance and said he was confident the trend would continue.

He said: "We believe digital photography products and printing will remain one of the fastest growth areas during 2004, with Jessops excellently placed to capitalise on this growing market place."

In anticipation of the growing mass market appeal of digital cameras, Jessops launched its biggest Christmas marketing drive, including its first national television advertising campaign.

The company has 255 stores in the UK, a figure that has more than trebled since management staged a buyout in 1996.

Jessops is owned by ABN Amro Capital following a £116m takeover in October 2002.