Dow Jones Newswires: Mitchells & Butlers sees strong trading over festive season

Excited fair-haired girl fooling around with boyfriend at home. Good-humoured brunette man dancing with wife.

The U.K. pub-and-restaurant operator said like-for-like sales for the five weeks ended Jan. 7 were up 19% on a 23.4% rise in drink and a 15.8% rise in food.