Summer washout sees high-street stores slash clothes prices by up to 80% in biggest sales for 30 years

THIS summer has been a complete washout.

Most of us have spent the past few months wrapped up in oversized knits, skinny jeans and wellies as we try and dodge the rain showers.

Because of the dreary weather, high-street shops have struggled to sell their usually season-appropriate wares and are now slashing up to 80 per cent off dresses, tops, shorts and sandals.

Richard Hyman, an independent retail analyst, told The Times: "This is the most discounted market I have seen in more than 30 years."

H&M has generously discounted its on-trend summer pieces.

Jersey T-shirts, in a range of colourways and patterns, have been cut from £12.99 to £2.59

Patterned playsuits are a fraction of the price, now selling at £3.89 instead of £12.99.

Debenhams is offering a plethora of formal summer frocks for bargain friendly prices.

A pretty knee-length dress with a daisy pattern and black waist tie has been cut from £50 to £15.

Stylish pieces from the department stores' RJR John Rocha line have been heavily reduced, as have items from the Julien McDonald and Savannah Miller collection.

For those keen to snap up some fashion-forward garments, head to Topshop.

A bright palm-print bralet is now £5 - down from £15 - and a spaghetti strap jungle-print dress has been reduced from £32 to £18.

Over at Marks & Spencer, summer staples including casual tops, maxi dresses and linen trousers have been discounted.

A geometric print maxi dress, which would be ideal for lazy beach days, has been reduced from £19.50 to £9.50.

Meanwhile, a stylish sleeveless ruffle top is half price, at the penny-pinching cost of £12.50.

Items from Alexa Chung's Archive range have also been included in the sale, perfect for those who want to follow catwalk looks.

June was one of the wettest on record, with almost 40 per cent rainfall than usual.

Britain was hit by flash floods, play at Wimbledon was delayed and Glastonbury festival was turned into a mudbath.

Maureen Hinton, group research director from the consultancy Conlumino, told the newspaper: "Prices are normally 40%-50% off at this time of year but now they are down at 70%.

"There has been a lot of discounting because of the bad weather. Retailers have no been selling very well."