The UK's coldest December in at least a century, which retailer Debenhams estimated cost it £30m in lost sales, has proved a boon to Carr's Milling Industries, helping the flour-to-fertilizer group report trading ahead of internal forecasts.

Carr's said that its agriculture trading division had enjoyed record fuel sales, a result "well ahead of expectations", thanks to the "early onset of cold winter weather".

The business had also seen an increase in sales of feed blocks as "snow covered ground" forced livestock farmers to beef up use of fodder supplements.

The company's gains from a December which, with an average temperature of -1 degree centigrade, was England's coldest since records began, contrasts with the experience of many other sectors. UK retail sales fell by an average of 0.3% last month, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Carr's said that its trading for the third three months of its financial year, which began in September, were "ahead of management expectations".

The statement helped the group's shares hit 660p in early deals in London, matching a two-year high, before easing to close at 657.5p, up 3.1% on the day.

Farmer stockpiling 

The group, in comments made ahead of its annual meeting, added that its fertilizer operations had also enjoyed a "substantial increase in sales and profit" as buoyant crop prices, and fears for hikes in nutrient prices, prompted farmers to stock up.

 "Demand for fertilizer during the period has been strong as a result of cereal prices remaining high, with farmers buying in anticipation of input costs rising further," Carr's said.

While the strong grain prices had presented the group's historic milling operations with "challenging" conditions, the business had raised volumes and, though "disciplined" wheat buying, defended its margins.

"The board remains confident in prospects for the full year," the company said.