Retail sales in the UK fell by 0.2% in April, representing the first back-to-back fall since January 2006, data from Office for National Statistics revealed.

The rate was an improvement on the 0.4% fall in March, when figures were hit by wet weather and an unusually early Easter.

Food sales and household items were down as consumers battled with rising prices but sales of computer games boosted figures.

The fall was not as severe as expected by analysts and may add weight to the arguments of those who want to avoid future interest rate cuts.