Marks and Spencer was dealt a fresh blow last night when a report highlighted the growing impact of supermarkets on its children's wear market.

The high street retailer, which was once the biggest player in the market, has now been relegated to joint fourth position in the sector after being overtaken by Tesco, market research company Verdict said.

The study also described the chances of M&S regaining the top position it last held in 2000 as remote.

Verdict put the M&S share of the children's wear market at 5.5 per cent, level with Woolworths. Next is the market leader with 10.7 per cent, while Asda has 9.2 per cent and Tesco 6.2 per cent.

The study provides fresh evidence that the move by supermarket chains into non-food areas such as clothing has been taking its toll on shops such as M&S.

In the space of five years, both Asda and Tesco have almost doubled their share of the children's wear market.

Verdict said that unlike its main rival Next, M&S was not a destination for children's wear and its performance in this category was "consistently disappointing".

It added: "The likelihood of Marks and Spencer ever regaining the top spot in this category is remote."