Bargain hunters prop up retail sales in August

High street stores maintain record of monthly gains, paving way for possible interest rate rise next spring

Britain's high street stores kept up their record of monthly sales increases in August as shoppers were lured by heavy price discounting, according to official figures.

The sales rise stretches back to June 2014 and is likely to be leapt on by hawks on the Bank of England's monetary policy committee as a sign of strength in the economy and another reason to raise interest rates as early as next spring.

Related: Slowdown in UK internet sales may signal online shopping peak