SHOPPERS have continued to splash out at department store chain House of Fraser, which recorded an 8.1 per cent leap in sales in the past four-and-a-half months.

The group, which owns the Binns stores in Darlington and Middlesbrough, said for the first 19 weeks of its financial year like-for-like sales rose 8.1 per cent - a rise on the 5.6 per cent recorded in the first eight weeks of its year. Margins also rose, up by 0.4 per cent.

John Coleman, chief executive said yesterday: "This has been a very strong performance.

"We continue to grow sales, gross profit margin and market share. This is a result of our unique position as the UK's leading retailer of designer brands, our successful product development strategy and the investments we have made in the business.