Feb 17 (Reuters) - British fashion retailer Mulberry Group Plc (MUL.L) said on Wednesday 17 February it expected full-year results to be significantly ahead of market expectations, aided by a strong Christmas.

Photo: www.mulberry.com

The luxury fashion brand specialising in the design and manufacture of leather goods said it saw higher demand from both retail and wholesale customers with the launch of its new Alexa handbag range.

Analysts on average were expecting a pretax profit of 4.8 million pounds ($7.58 million), on revenue of 66 million pounds for the year ending March 31, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

In December, the company had said sales of its luxury leather handbags were booming.

Mulberry shares closed at 162.75 pence on Tuesday 16 February on the London Stock Exchange.

($1=.6334 POUND)

(Reporting by Tresa Sherin Morera in Bangalore; Editing by Vinu Pilakkott)