Retail sales fell by 1.9% in February as consumers cut back on spending because of the economic climate, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Sales growth slowed to 0.4% compared to the same period last month - the slowest pace of year-on-year growth since 1995.

"Today's figures from the ONS are the clearest indication yet of the weakening retail market in the UK," said Tarlok Teji, head of retail at Deloitte.