SHOPPERS stocking up on food before Christmas benefited from lower prices last month, a survey has shown.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said prices of a basket of 200 diverse food and non-food items, such as orange juice, tights and bread, fell by 0.13 per cent during November. The fall compares with a decrease of 0.09 per cent in October.

BRC said there was a fall in the price of food items overall, and a significant fall in the price of fruit.

However, non-food items rose slightly in particular the price of men's suits and coats, as colder weather in November sent men out shopping for warm clothes.

BRC said the yearly trend showed prices were up by 0.24 per cent in November when compared with prices for the same period last year, however price levels remain lower than three years ago.

Bill Moyes, BRC director general said: "There is evidence that, despite strong sales growth, the UK was not experiencing inflationary pressure from the high street.

"Ensuring consumer confidence must be a top priority if the Government wants to continue enjoying the economic benefits of this situation."