Party people cheer Ted Baker

STAIN-proof 'Endurance' suits proved a hit with party animals this Christmas, helping fashion chain Ted Baker turn in some of the strongest sales figures in the High Street.

Founder and chief executive Ray Kelvin left rivals in the shade as he reported a near-21% jump in retail sales in the period from 1 November to 24 December. Kelvin is confident of a 'positive outcome' for the full year.

He said the group traded well across all collections in Britain and overseas, where it recently opened a shop in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. At home, it opened a new store in Westbourne Grove and converted one of its Covent Garden sites to the popular Endurance suit range.

It also introduced a £299 'Fish out of Water' suit, billed as the first-ever washable designer suit.