DERBYSHIRE chocolate-maker Thorntons has reported a decline in sales over the Christmas period.

In a trading statement released to the London Stock Exchange this morning, the Somercotes company said that in the 14 weeks to January 9, sales declined by 2.4% to £80.7m, compared to the same period 12 months ago.

But Thorntons said that it was difficult to draw comparisons with the previous year's festive trading period because of the collapse last year of Birthdays, which operated 94 of its franchises.

Thorntons, which employs around 4,000 people, is expected to publish its half-year results on February 17.