High street chocolatier, Hotel Chocolat, saw a tasty 15 per cent rise in sales over the Christmas period.

The retailer, which has a store in Cheltenham, said sales were boosted by new store layouts and its popular Velvetiser hot chocolate range, as reported by Retail Gazette.

The rise in sales in the 13 weeks to 30th December was also lifted by a five per cent increase in sales from new stores. Sales also increased online and through the retailer's wholesale division.

Velvetiser hot chocolate sold three times more units than the company initially predicted.

Hotel Chocolat opened 15 new stores in the last six months of 2018, taking it to 117 UK branches.