Spending by UK shoppers in the run-up to Christmas rose 3.8 per cent on last year - the best festive performance for three years, according to one of the first estimates to be published.

The figures from Mastercard are based on spending on its cards, as well as estimates for other forms of payment.

The 3.8 per cent increase is also an improvement on the 3.5 per cent recorded in November.

Mastercard said that the improved performance was driven by electricals, grocery and personal care retailers.

Speciality retailers, such as music and book stores, also did well, the research claims, but clothing retailers and department stores continued to lag behind the market as a whole, as they have done since autumn.

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