British shoppers cut back spending for the first time in almost a year last month, reflecting a mix of seasonal pressures and Brexit worries, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said.

The BRC said total sales at its members - mostly major high-street retailers and supermarkets - had dropped by 0.5% year-on-year in March, after a 0.5% rise the month before, the first fall since April 2018.

The fact that Easter holiday spending will fall in April this year could only account for part of the decline compared with last March, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.

"Brexit continues to feed the uncertainty among consumers. While jewellery, beauty products and clothing purchases were all up to indulge on Mother's Day, shoppers were generally cautious not to overspend, particularly on larger items." she said.