Retail sales in the UK have risen at their fastest pace since January as sunny weather and bank holidays tempted shoppers out to the high street.

The number of goods sold online and in shops rose 2.9pc in May, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was better than most economists expected, beating the 1.8pc rise they predicted on average.

It comes after separate figures showed consumer confidence is also rising and inflation is falling back to normal levels. 

Experts said the surge in retail sales was partly a result of warmer weather and two bank holidays in May.

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