Marks and Spencer has reported a modest rise in UK sales over the Christmas period, after strong food sales offset weaker trading elsewhere at the firm.

The company also said margins would be lower this year due to promotions.

Like-for-like sales, which strip out the impact of any new store openings, for the final 13 weeks of 2011 were up 0.5 percent on a year earlier. Food sales were up 3 percent, while general merchandise sales fell by 1.8 percent.