Marks & Spencer today said sales were "strong" in the crucial run-up to Christmas and it believed its recovery was on track.

The group said in the seven weeks to January 12, like-for-like sales - which strip out the effect of store openings and closures - rose 8.3%.

Food sales rose 5.4% on a like-for-like basis, while sales of clothing, footwear, gifts and home goods rose 10.4%.

Chairman and chief executive Luc Vandevelde said: "In a buoyant clothing market, we are pleased to see our customers responding to the better appeal, quality and availability of our clothing as well as the store environment.

"We are also encouraged with the performance of foods, particularly over Christmas, a period when our market share increases significantly."

However he said he could not assume the market would remain so strong for clothing retailers.

"While we do not assume a continuation of the recent market conditions for general merchandise, we will continue to deliver improvements for our customers such as the early roll-out of spring collections in womenswear and the launch of Blue Harbour, the new casualwear range for men," he said.

"The signs are encouraging and lead me to believe our recovery programme is on track."

Items which sold well over the period included M&S's leather range, he said, while its gift range also did well.

M&S also showed that over the 15 weeks to January 12, like-for-like sales rose 7%, with food up 5.2% and clothing, gift and home products up 8.3%.

The upbeat statement follows a 20% half-year profit rise recorded in November at the group, as it showed figures beginning to turn the corner.

M&S lost its way in the late 1990s, when profits slumped.

The group, which had previously seen profits top £1 billion, has been rejuvenating itself with new ranges and updated stores. Belgian boss Mr Vandevelde joined the firm in early 2000.

Shares in the group rose 4p to 364p in early trading today.