FASHION chain New Look yesterday posted record full year results claiming its affordable clothing and accessories had helped entice more cash-strapped customers. The Weymouth based firm, which has 612 stores in the UK and Ireland including Southampton, Eastleigh, Romsey and Winchester, said more than a third of the British female population bought an item from its womenswear ranges as underlying earnings grew ten per cent to £217.6m.

Jewellery and hair accessories were particularly strong sellers, with 4,300 items sold every hour.

New Look, which is privately owned, said it had increased its market share in the year, to 5.4 per cent.