Debenhams in Great Yarmouth is launching up to a 5XL size as part of the big and tall range - for people ranging from a 62 inch to 64 inch chest and a 20 inch collar – which includes the latest styles by top designers.

The fashion retailer said one in nine of all menswear purchases were now larger than size 2XL – 50 to 52 inch chest and 18 inch collar – and demand for larger sizes of shirts, suits, tops, casual jackets and trousers had soared by 170% in the last two years.

Already sales in the past six months of Big and Tall at Debenhams are set to exceed the whole of last year. Previously their stock stopped at 3XL.

The biggest rise in demand for more generous outfits has come from East Anglia followed by the East and West Midlands and the South East.

Industry statistics from researchers Mintel back up the High Street observations and says the market for plus sized menswear is growing at three times the rate of sales of men's clothing overall and is 50% more than the growth in larger women's clothing.

Debenhams Great Yarmouth store manager, Jonathan Kemp, comments: 'We want to ensure that we offer our customers in Great Yarmouth fashionable, well –fitting clothing, at accessible prices, whatever their shape height and size. 'We recognise that men from across Great Yarmouth are in general taller and stronger than previous generations and there is growing demand for mainstream men's fashion in larger sizes. Our expanded range with more items in longer lengths, bigger chests and waist sizes is keeping pace with those changes.

'We believe that offering diverse and quality products means we can satisfy a greater number of our customers and we are delighted to be able to offer fashion to fit all.'

Another retail analyst Columino said last year the UK spent £2.1 billion on XL garments, a rise of £200 million from four years ago, and predicts an increase by another £200 million in just the next 24 months.

The further evidence of the rapidly growing size of the population follows university studies which report that the average British man is four inches taller than 100 years ago.

The typical male today is 5ft 10 in, compared with 5ft 6 in a century ago while the average weight for a man is 13.16 stones (83.6kg) which means larger measurements all round, from inside leg lengths, to chests, waist and collar size. Feet have also got two sizes bigger.