LONDON (Reuters) - John Lewis (JLP.UL), the British employee-owned retailer, recorded its best ever trading last week, with underlying sales up 15 percent due to a strong pre-Christmas demand for toys, games and gifts.

Womenswear at John Lewis

The company said it recorded sales of 110 million pounds in the seven days to December 12, the most it has ever taken in a week, and over 8 percent up on the group's previous biggest week in 2007.

The retailer said fashion brands, watches, sewing machines and household goods were all selling well, with toys including Biscuit the animatronic dog in strong demand.

The data adds to growing evidence that consumer spending is picking up after a brutal downturn in late 2008 and early 2009.

However, many store groups remain wary about prospects for 2010 as unemployment and taxes are expected to rise.

($1=.6057 Pound)

(Reporting by Rhys Jones; editing by Simon Jessop)