Hardback book sales boosted by 'Super Thursday'

Evans (second left) launched his book last week with Jimmy Carr, Jack Dee and Jonathan Ross

Six hardbacks published last Thursday sold more than 10,000 copies in their first three days on the shelves, according to new data.

Top buys included Lee Child's novel The Affair, Lee Evans's memoir The Life of Lee and Jamie Oliver's latest cookbook.

More than 200 hardbacks, around three times the number of books released in an average week, were published on 29 September - so-called "Super Thursday".

The week's sales exceeded the £30m mark for the first time since December 2010.

In total, £32.1m was spent at UK booksellers between 25 September and 1 October - up £2.5m on the previous week, The Bookseller reports.

Bookmakers have made Oliver's title, Jamie's Great Britain, favourite to top the book charts this Christmas.

But despite the boost, figures were down on last year's Super Thursday week which saw sales of more than £36m.