Britain's shops could be hit by a spending drought in the run-up to Christmas.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics last week suggested that High Street spending was remaining steady, but they have now been dismissed by one of Britain's top commercial analysts.

Richard Hyman, chairman of retail research consultants Verdict, said that recent petrol and weather crises could not have failed to take their toll on till receipts.

He predicted a lean time for retailers in the run-up to Christmas as the battle for custom intensified.

"This year has been the worst year for retailing in the last decade, whatever the figures seem to be saying to the contrary," said Mr Hyman.

"They are completely overstated in my opinion." Mr Hyman's comments came after the ONS retail sales figures for October suggested a healthy retail sector.

The figures indicated that during October Britain's shoppers spent almost £4 billion a week, the same as in September and 3.8 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The results, said Mr Hyman, immediately shocked city analysts who had expected a fall of at least 0.4 per cent.

Mr Hyman added: "I believe the ONS figures overstate the case and that the figures were actually down in October.

"The market has been sluggish since the fuel crisis and the bad weather. Anyone who has been living in Britain over the last couple of months will have seen how these things have affected everything.

"A lot of shopping is no longer necessity-driven but led by leisure and that is bound to have impacted on that. The Government's figures are generally good compared with other countries but they do not make sense this time."