Official figures show that British manufacturing output unexpectedly rose in April thanks to higher production of aircraft and motor vehicles.
The Office for National Statistics said manufacturing output rose by 0.1% in April. Economists had expected no change. Over a year, output also rose 0.1%.
Industrial production also rose, up 0.2% on the month as it was also boosted by higher energy production because of a cooler April this year.
While the figures provide some relief from the unrelenting gloom of recent data on the British economy, statisticians still described the trend for manufacturing as flat and surveys have also been pointing to stagnation in the sector.
The ONS said the rise in aircraft production followed some weak months while car production has been strong in the last few months because of higher export demand.
