Britain's love of a 'cheeky Nando's' has helped the South African Peri-Peri chicken chain chalk up annual sales of more than £1billion for the first time.

Seemingly defying the gloom in the UK's casual dining sector, Nando's sales surged by nearly 8 per cent in the UK to £779millon in its most recent financial year - highlighting how important Britain is to the firm.

The chain has defied the gloom stalking high street restaurants that has seen some famous names shut up shop and others close down part of their empire as they struggle financially.

Nando's sales surged by nearly 8% in the UK to £779millon in its most recent financial year

The figures meant total revenue from across all its global markets, excluding South Africa, totaled £1.1billion - a landmark for the fast growing firm.

The impressive figures come as a long line of restaurant chains, such as Carluccios, GBK and Jamie's Italian, urgently shut down branches as they battle rising costs and weak consumer confidence.

In contrast, Nando's opened 31 new restaurants in the UK taking its total to 422.

It plans to keep on opening sites at a 'similar rate', despite the challenging environment.

Profits in the UK, according to newly released Companies House accounts, jumped by a spicy 15 per cent to £96million.

However, global losses to £38million from £36million as Nando's fed money into its ongoing expansion.

Jamie's Italian hit the buffers earlier this year and only a handful of the sites remain open

On Brexit, the company said it is continuing to assess the associated risks but said the split from the EU is 'not anticipated to have a material impact' on its performance.

Last month, Nando's launched its third Nando's Nino express format in Battersea, London as it branches out into a new model with a streamlined food menu.