Bradford-based supermarket group Morrisons said its third-quarter like-for-like sales excluding fuel were up 2.5%, “comprising contributions from retail of 2.1% and wholesale of 0.4%.”

“We again worked hard during the quarter to limit the impact of lower sterling on imported food prices, and made good progress on becoming more competitive,” said the firm in its trading update.

Like-for-like sales including fuel were up 3.4%.

Total sales excluding fuel were up 2.3% (up 3.2% including fuel).

Morrisons CEO David Potts said: “We are pleased with a further step up in our competitiveness and another period of positive like for like sales growth.

“I am confident our plans to keep serving customers better will enable us to continue the strong momentum of the year so far, into the important fourth quarter.

“As we work towards becoming a broader, stronger business, a new Morrisons is taking shape, built by our colleagues on firm balance sheet foundations.”