FASHION chain French Connection remained confident of a strong finish to its financial year despite the recent heatwave leaving its mark on sales.

The group - famous for its fcuk range of clothing - said sales growth in UK and Europe, which rose by 11.3 per cent in the six months to July 31, had cooled to three per cent in the first six weeks of the second half of its financial year.

Operations director Neil Williams said the hot weather during last month affected business, but said he had been encouraged by the reception of shoppers to the company's autumn and winter range.

He said like-for-like sales growth in recent weeks had risen above the three per cent level but were still well below the levels of 15 per cent seen last year.

Mr Williams said: "As the weather gets a little bit colder we think that the winter season, having started off well, will be very strong."