Growth figures best since 1995

The best growth figures in 18 years provided more evidence of a sustained recovery in Britain's manufacturing sector today .

The CBI's survey of nearly 350 factory bosses found that total order books and output growth were the highest recorded since 1995.

Manufacturers also told the business lobby group that they expect growth to continue at a robust pace over the coming three months.

Stephen Gifford, the CBI's director of economics, said: "This new evidence shows encouraging signs of a broadening and deepening recovery in the manufacturing sector.

"Manufacturers finally seem to be feeling the benefit of growing confidence and spending within the UK and globally."

The key finding of the survey showed that a positive balance of 11% of firms believed order books were above normal in November, helped by signs of a continued recovery among exporters.

The rise in output growth was broad-based, with all but one of 15 sub-sectors - electrical engineering - reporting growth.

Despite the progress, Mr Gifford said challenges remain for UK manufacturers.

He added: "UK exporters need Government support to break into high-growth export markets to reduce their vulnerability to any further eurozone flare-ups."