BAKERY chain Greggs has seen sales growth slow at the beginning of 2016 after weaker High Street conditions in March.

In a trading update, the company said like-for-like sales rose 3.7% in the first 18 weeks of 2016, compared with a 6% increase this time last year.

Greggs said conditions on the High Street were "softer" in March, but that they had recovered in recent weeks.

However, shares rose as analysts described the performance as "robust".

Greggs itself said it had made a good start to the year.

It said that an improved product range - such as hot sandwiches, an extended breakfast menu and the introduction of the "flat white" coffee - had helped to increase sales.

"As has been widely reported, conditions on the High Street were softer in March before recovering in recent weeks; these conditions were reflected in our own performance," the statement said.

"Input cost inflation remains low despite increased wage costs... we expect to make progress in line with our previous expectations," it added.

In a move designed to appeal to more health-conscious customers, Greggs also said it had broadened its range of fresh fruit, upgraded a range of salads, and introduced new products such as Teriyaki chicken noodle and Falafel with houmous.

Clive Black, analyst at Shore Capital, said: "We deem such a trading performance to be very robust indeed against what has been a demonstrably challenging backdrop for the majority operating on the UK high street, tough conditions that have also embraced the likes of Next."