DEPARTMENT store group John Lewis enjoyed record sales in the build-up to Christmas.

The privately-owned firm, which owns the Bainbridge store in Newcastle, took £76.9m in the week to December 22 with widescreen TVs, DVD players, toys and books among the top-selling items.

Sales were eight per cent above the same period last year. John Lewis said the increase was better than expected, given the worsening economic conditions.

Mild weather hit clothing sales in October and the group added that it was still battling the impact of the September 11 atrocities on consumer confidence.

Gareth Thomas, selling and customer service director, said: "It's a great relief that Christmas came through as strongly as it did."

Mr Thomas said shoppers carried on spending right up to the wire with strong sales recorded on both December 23 and Christmas Eve.

The group's sales on Sunday were 74 per cent higher than a year ago.

Mr Thomas said the recent mild weather may have pushed spending on winter goods into the Christmas period as duvet sales rose 12 per cent in the week to December 22. Sales of women's, men's and children's clothing were also ahead 11.5 per cent.

"The milder weather in October probably made Christmas feel more further away than it was," he said.

Last week's performance means sales in the 21 weeks to December 22 were 5.9 per cent higher than a year ago across John Lewis' stores.

Sales for the first 22 days of December were up 5.3 per cent.

Despite the strong showing, Mr Thomas said it was too early to tell how the group would fare next year, given the economic uncertainties.