Supermarket Asda's sales jumped ahead in the last quarter as it increased customer numbers at its stores.

Comparable store sales in the three months to October 31 were in the "high single digits" when compared with the same period last year, although the group did not provide figures. It said the performance was driven by rises in customer numbers and average spend per person.

Its George clothing range saw sales rise nearly 30 per cent on a like-for-like basis, while food sales were in the ''high single digits''.

Asda has 256 stores in the UK, and employs 126,000 staff.