POP stars Emma Bunton, Will Young and Star Trek actor Patrick Stewart failed to put the "magic and sparkle" into a disappointing Christmas for Marks & Spencer.

High Street stalwart M&S broke with tradition this year by advertising on television for the first time.

But the charm offensive failed to deliver the hoped for bumper festive trading period.

Shoppers failed to warm to clothing and homeware ranges as the group announced a 2.3 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for the seven weeks to January 10.

The performance led the company to warn that its bonus fund was likely to drop by a third, from £34m last year. The group employs 65,000 staff and makes awards on an individual performance-related basis. It warned that employees were likely to see end-of-year bonuses slashed.

The difficulties in clothing also cost divisional head David Norgrove his job. He will leave the board once a successor is found.

Former Debenhams chief executive Belinda Earl is among those being tipped for the job.

Anthony Platts, retail analyst with stockbrokers Wise Speke, said: "Unfortunately, it is the same old story - disappointing trading in the clothing and homeware divisions saved by continued growth in quality food sales.

"The board has acted quickly, however, and David Norgrove, director of clothing, has fallen on his sword and stepped down. A search is on for a replacement to take the clothing business forward.

"Marks & Spencer is clearly determined to correct these results."