UK retail sales growth unexpectedly quickens in August-CBI

LONDON, Aug 26 (Reuters) - British annual retail sales growth unexpectedly picked up pace this month, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry said on Wednesday.

The CBI distributive trades survey's retail sales balance rose in August to +24 from +21 in July and above economists' forecasts of +18.

Sales expectations for September were +35, up from +13 in August.

Official figures released this month showed British retail sales rose by less than expected in July, hit by a fall in the sales of auto fuels.

The Bank of England has said it is increasingly looking at domestic pressures as it gages when to raise interest rates, at a time when a rising sterling and falling oil prices, exacerbated by turmoil in China, are keeping British price pressures in check.

(Reporting by Ana Nicolaci da Costa; Editing by William Schomberg)