UK manufacturing growth remains above average, but sluggish export demand means the recovery has slowed, a report has said.

A CBI Industrial Trends Survey revealed expectations for growth in output volumes over the next three months declined to a 13-month low.

However, it remains above the long-run average, according to the 421 manufacturers CBI surveyed.

The majority of sectors reported below-par export orders, with mechanical engineering the lowest for two years, though this was offset by stronger performance in the aerospace sector.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI director for economics, said: “Overall manufacturing output remains quite strong.

“However, manufacturers are particularly struggling in export markets due to a challenging global economic climate, including sluggish Eurozone growth, and slowing emerging markets, such as China.”