The headline index from the report, the seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index registered 53.3 in September. That was up from August's 52.6 and meant the current period of growth now extends to 28 months.

Paul Smith, Economics Director at IHS Markit which compiles the Italy Services PMI survey, said: "Italy's service sector recorded a stronger performance during September, with firmer gains recorded in the key macroeconomic health barometers of output and employment. "Whilst encouraging on the one hand, growth rates remain well down on those seen around the turn of the year. Moreover, Italy presently finds itself reliant on the services sector to drive overall economic expansion following the slowdown through 2018 to date and eventual stagnation in September of the manufacturing economy".