PIZZA delivery chain Domino's today said the popularity of a new double-layer pizza helped it serve up strong Christmas sales.

The dough-to-doorstep delivery specialists, which operates 12 franchises in Hampshire, said its Double Decadence pizza contributed to a 13.2 per cent hike in like-for-like sales in the six weeks to January 2.

The successful launch of the product, promoted in a campaign starring Naked Gun actor Leslie Nielsen, helped average weekly sales hit a new record.

Chief executive Stephen Hemsley said: "In view of this performance, I am confident we can deliver full-year results in line with market expectations.''

He said Double Decadence was a ''pretty big factor'' in the sales hike, adding: "It's a pizza we knew had gone down well around the world. We knew it was a bit of a blockbuster product.''

After its UK launch in October the pizza made up 20 per cent of all sales, and it now counts for about ten per cent.

Mr Hemsley said the most popular pizza was Pepperoni Passion. Domino's sold around 18 million pizzas in the past year.

Domino's, which will post annual results next month, said same-store sales increased by 8.2 per cent in its second half, up from a 4.9 per cent rise in the first half.

This left annual like-for-like sales 6.6 per cent higher.

The group - founded in the USA in 1960 - claims to be the world leader in pizza delivery, with more than 7,000 stores in more than 50 countries and more than 250,000 staff.

Its first UK franchise store opened in 1985 and the first Irish outlet opened in 1991.