...but at least one of its dresses has been flying off the shelves

DESPITE Alexandra Shulman’s damning verdict on Marks and Spencer, there is one of its dresses that has proved a huge hit with fashion fans.

The retailer posted a picture of its animalprint tea dress last week ahead of its arrival in stores and online.

But the £39.50 item, pictured, which has a stripe of neon orange on each side, proved so popular with fans that it sold out on its website ‘within hours’ of being released.

Some even complained on social media that despite being able to add the dress to their online basket, by the time they had entered their payment details it had then suddenly gone out of stock.

One customer wrote: ‘I’ve been checking your website for this and it’s sold out already! Extremely frustrating! When will this be back in stock?’

Another wrote: ‘Out of stock online! Since 1st June! Ridiculous. If you’re going to promote a dress like this please produce more! Limited edition or not.’

A third added: ‘I just put a size 14 in my basket and checked out. I entered my credit card details straight away, during the time I was typing the numbers it went out of stock and left my basket.

‘This is very frustrating. Surely if you put something in your basket you should have time to pay before someone else gets to click and take it!’

Despite disappointing figures in recent years, many celebrities are still spotted in M&S clothing.

Meghan Markle sent fashion fans into a frenzy in January when she stepped out wearing a £45 black batwing jumper – prompting a sell-out online. It soon appeared on eBay for up to £149.

A spokesman for Marks and Spencer said: ‘The Limited Edition leopard print dress has already caused a buzz on social media and has been selling well since its first drop this weekend.

‘More stock will arrive online this week, so our customers will not miss out and are still able to get their hands on this hero summer style.’