Shoppers were out in force on Britain's High Streets last month, as retail sales climbed at their fastest rate for more than two years.

Leading the upsurge were sales of footwear and clothing which rose 3.6% - the biggest one-month increase since last year’s 2001 January sales, as shoppers snapped up the spring collections.

Overall, retail sales volumes leapt by 1.5% in February, the biggest single month increase since January 2000. The year-on-year rate of increase jumped from 4.4% in January to 5.9%.

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