UK retailers forged ahead last month with record growth in sales of food and clothes that gave few signs consumers were suffering from rising living costs, according to official data released on Thursday.

The Office for National Satistics said retail sales volumes rose 3.5 per cent in May, the fastest monthly increase on record, and well above forecasts for a slight downturn. That took the less volatile quarter on quarter growth rate to 1.8 per cent, and meant sales over the last 3 months were 5.4 per cent higher than in the same period a year earlier.