SUPERMARKET Morrisons has gained market share for the first time in more than three years, according to industry data.

Data from Kantar Worldpanel suggested total sales at Morrisons, which has more than 60 stores in Scotland, rose 0.6 per cent in the 12 weeks to June 21 with its share of the UK supermarket sector nudging up 0.1 percentage point to 11 per cent.

That is the first gain it has seen in market share since December 2011 with the result an indication that the turnaround under chief executive David Potts, who joined in March, is having early success.

Both Tesco and Sainsbury's saw sales fall 1.3 per cent in the period with their respective market shares falling 0.3 and 0.2 percentage points to 28.6 per cent and 16.5 per cent.

Asda sales dropped 3.5 per cent with its market share down from 17.1 per cent to 16.5 per cent.

Fast growing discounters Aldi and Lidl continued to make inroads with sales rising by 15.4 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively.

Aldi's market share is now at a new high of 5.5 per cent with Lidl up to 3.9 per cent.

Waitrose sales grew 1.2 per cent with its market share coming in at 5.1 per cent while sales and market share at Co-operative were flat.

Across the total market sales tipped back with a 0.1 per cent decline as prices continue to fall.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar Worldpanel, said: "Last seen in November, the return to marginal decline across the grocery market reflects both falling prices and only steady volume growth.

"Sales volumes are up two per cent compared to a year ago but are not anticipated to accelerate, even with an improving economy, as demand for groceries has remained broadly steady since before the recession."