Sales in the UK’s high street stores continued to grow during the year to March, although at a slower rate than expected, according to CBI data.

The business organisation said its monthly survey of 106 major high street players registered sales growth for the fourth consecutive month.

It slowed in the 12 months to March, but the group says it predicts growth to accelerate in April, bringing it into line with February’s reading, when it was at its fastest since the financial crisis.

Web-based sales continued their strong performance, with the trend in-line with its long-term average dating back to August 2009.

Barry Williams, Asda chief merchandising officer for Food, and Chair of the CBI Survey Panel, said: “It’s promising to see a run of positive growth rates on the high street, with sales up on a year ago for the fourth month in a row.

“We’re hopeful that this will continue, but there are still signs that this needs to be a cautious hope.

“The pace of growth has slowed, likely in part down to the later timing of Mother’s Day and Easter this year – conversely, this is the same reason many retailers are looking forward to more robust growth next month.”