Fashion chain Next was one of the big gainers as its shares rose 14dp to 1012p, with Marks & Spencer up fp to 342p.

Economists were caught on the hop by the strength of sales, which boosted shares in some of the UK’s biggest retailers.

But there were also renewed fears about ­inflation and the possibility of interest rate rises, which prompted a strengthening in the pound’s value.

Sales volumes rose 3.5 per cent compared with April, the biggest monthly increase since the report started in 1986.

That took the annual rate of growth to 8.1 per cent, the strongest since April 2002 and twice the level analysts expected.

Richard Lowe, director at Barclays Commercial Bank, said the figures were “a ­welcome moment of relief in an otherwise challenging time for UK retailers”.

He added: “These ­surprisingly strong results come as a result of pent-up consumer demand following the  post-Christmas ­hang­over and cautious spending earlier this year.”