FASHION house Burberry last night blamed the popularity of its brand among "chavs" for hindering its performance.

The group also said its UK business had suffered because fewer US tourists visited London because of the weak dollar.

A spokeswoman said the so-called ''chav'' factor - the trend among some young soccer fans and others for wearing Burberry check - had probably not helped the brand's performance.

But she downplayed its impact on sales, saying Burberry check - which adorns the packaging of the group's successful fragrance Burberry Brit - was still popular among the company's traditional customers.

The UK accounts for less than ten per cent of the group's worldwide sales, she said.

''It's much more to do with the lack of tourists,'' the spokeswoman said.

Burberry, which is two-thirds owned by GUS, announced a seven per cent rise in third-quarter revenues.

The group said it delivered a solid result in the face of price-cutting by rivals.

Revenues rose by three per cent after accounting for exchange rates. Store openings and refurbishments drove a six per cent rise in sales in the third quarter to January 1.