For the second month in a row sales on UK High Streets have fallen, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Like-for-like sales fell by 1.5% in April compared to the same month in 2007. Total sales, which include shops that were not running last year rose by 1.0% last month.

The BRC's figures only take into account the value of sales from a selection of retailers. It is the first time that the BRC's figures had fallen for two consecutive months in a row since the first quarter of 2005.

BRC's director Stephen Robertson stated that he hoped the recent sunny weather would have helped retailers since April.

The recent figures emphasize the fact that because of high fuel and food prices, consumers are watching what they spend.