Commenting on today's PMI data, Ms Lee Hopley, Chief Economist at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, said:

"Manufacturers ended the year on a strong note and rising production, new orders and increased employment in December provided a springboard for growth going into 2014. Surer signs of a manufacturing recovery in Europe together with steady growth both at home, in the US and emerging markets should align to support solid expansion of UK manufacturing in the year ahead. However, while we can hope to see more of the ground lost during the recession made up this year, we must also start to see new investments coming on stream if the sector is to secure a sustainable, long-term recovery."

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