WINE merchant Majestic has recorded like-for-like UK store sales growth of 2.8% for the 10 weeks to January 6.

The company said sales had been boosted by purchases of wine bottles costing more than £20.

Steve Lewis, chief executive, said he felt more customers were treating themselves to "fine wine" over the festive period.

The result brings the growth figure for the first 40 weeks of the financial year to 0.8%.

Shares closed down 17.5p, or 3%, at 530.5p.