The recent “balmy” weather conditions have helped to tempt shoppers outside – but last month still saw the sharpest decline in people visiting stores in the month of February for five years, according to a report.

Footfall among shoppers fell by two per cent year-on-year in February – the biggest February fall seen in five years, according to the BRC (British Retail Consortium)-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor.

The figure includes visits to high streets, retail parks and shopping centres and it marked the 15th month in a row of falls.

In England, the South West was among the weakest performing regions, with a decline of 3.5 per cent.