Two for One and Pitcher & Piano owner Marston's said it served a record 60,000 meals on Christmas Day, helping it post strong festive sales figures.

The Wolverhampton-based pub owner and brewer, which operates 1,700 pubs, said like-for-like sales at its pub restaurants and branded bars jumped 12.5% on Christmas Day and 4.8% over the key two-week holiday period to January 4.

It said it was on track to open 25 new pub restaurants this financial year, with eight scheduled to open in the first six months.

Under chief executive Ralph Findlay the group has focused on large pubs that cater for families and have large eating areas, while selling off smaller outlets without suitable places for dining.