Staff at supermarket chain Asda are celebrating after overtaking Marks and Spencer as Britain's biggest clothing retailer.

Industry figures for the past three months show Asda's market share, based on the amount of clothes it sells, has risen by almost a third to 9.4 per cent. M&S's share has remained static at 9.1 per cent, according to market research group Taylor Nelson Sofres.

Asda's clothing range George was launched 14 years ago by George Davies, the founder of Next, who is also behind the Per Una range at M&S.

George at Asda has an annual turnover of £1bn and is sold in Wal-Mart stores in Germany, South Korea, Japan, Mexico and the US, as well most of Asda's 266 UK stores.

It also has four standalone outlets with a fifth opening in Liverpool today.

Andy Bond, Asda's chief operating officer, said: "With its unique combination of style, quality and value, we have earned our place at the top of the fashion premier league."

M&S declined to comment but the news will come as a blow to chief executive Stuart Rose, who is under pressure to spark a revival in the store's fortunes.

Investors last month backed Mr Rose in a takeover tussle with Bhs and Arcadia group owner Philip Green.