Britain's manufacturing industry saw activity fall to its lowest level for nearly three years in November.
The Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's (CIPS)monthly survey shows that manufacturing activity fell to 45.6.
This was down from 46.5 in October, and the lowest level recorded since January, 1999.
On the CIPS scale, a reading above 50 indicates growth; a figure below that signifies contraction.
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The November figure signalled the ninth consecutive month of contraction of the UK manufacturing economy.
PA