Tesco insisted it was narrowing the gap on faster-growing UK rivals Wm Morrison, J Sainsbury and Asda, as international sales buoyed its first-quarter performance.

Revealing a 4.3 per cent increase in first quarter UK like-for-like sales – in line with analysts’ forecasts – Laurie McIlwee, finance director, said Tesco was back on its game and would continue to close in on smaller competitors.