The Bank of England has raised hopes over the UK economy by predicting a "modest and sustained" recovery.
But it warned that inflation will remain stubbornly high until at least the end of 2015.
The bank said growth should pick up to 0.5% in the second quarter of this year but it warned that the hangover from the financial crisis would ensure the recovery is weak and uneven.
Presenting his last quarterly inflation report, outgoing bank governor Mervyn King said growth will be "a little stronger" than previously hoped - "the first time I have been able to say that since before the financial crisis".
The bank governor's tone was markedly more upbeat than three months ago and follows surprise growth of 0.3% in the first quarter of 2013.
The governor, who hands over to Mark Carney in July, said: "This hasn't been a typical recession and it won't be a typical recovery. Nevertheless a recovery is in sight."
The bank said economic stimulus including its credit-boosting Funding for Lending scheme and £375 billion of quantitative easing will support the recovery and get households and businesses spending again, although it added that the main risks continue to come from abroad.
Rising energy and food bills and higher tuition fees will continue to heap pressure on cash-strapped consumers but Mr King said inflation will be "a little weaker" than it previously expected in February.
However it sees inflation peaking at 3.2% after the summer and it is unlikely to fall below its 2% target until the first quarter of 2016.
