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Christmas came early to the high street last month as sales grew across all major categories, with the biggest increase seen in fashion.

Overall, sales expanded by 3.9 per cent compared to the same month last year, with fashion items seeing an increase of 5.4 per cent, homewares 2.3 per cent and non-fashion 1.1 per cent, according to accountancy firm BDO.

Don Williams, head of retail at BDO, says: ‘The impact of Christmas shopping is clearly being felt on the high street, bringing a much needed lift to the sector. Retailers will take heart in knowing that 2009 will end on a positive note, after they have experienced what has been an extremely tough year.

‘However, consumers face a number of serious challenges in 2010, including rising unemployment, higher taxes and larger national insurance contributions, so it remains to be seen if current confidence levels will last next year.’

The findings match the latest Confederation of British Industry figures, indicating high street sales in November grew the fastest in two years.

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