Fashion and homeware retailer Next enjoyed a rise in overall sales over the last three months, boosted by a 11.4 per cent surge in directory sales.

Full price sales in the second quarter were up by 0.7 per cent on last year, according to the group's August trading statement.

Overall sales were still down by 1.2 per cent on last year, but the Next Directory had a particularly good second quarter, driven by strong sales in both the UK and overseas.

In a statement, they said: "We believe there has been some improvement in our product ranges and our online functionality during this period.

"However, we believe most of the increase in full price sales is due to the much warmer weather and, to a lesser degree, lower markdown sales in the end-of-season sale.

"In the current consumer environment, we remain cautious and are budgeting for second half full price sales to be down -1.2 per cent, which is in line with our performance in the first half."

There is still plenty of demand for Next goods in Gloucestershire, with work on the new flagship store at the Peel Centre set to start soon.

The £14m, 28,000 square foot store will offer homeware as well as fashion and will include a cafe and two mezzanine floors.

There are also two Next stores in Cheltenham, one in Quedgeley and an outlet store at Gloucester Quays.