Growth in British manufacturing orders and production over the last three months reached the highest since 1995, survey data from the Confederation of British Industry showed Thursday.

According to the Industrial Trends Survey, 36 percent of firms said their total order books were above normal and 25 percent said they were below, giving a balance of 11 percent. It was the highest since March 1995.

Similarly, at 29 percent, the balance for output in the three months to November rose at its fastest rate since January 1995.

Firms expect output growth to continue at a similar pace in the next three months. About 44 percent expect to raise output and 20 percent forecast a decline, resulting a balance of +24 percent.

Stephen Gifford, CBI Director of Economics said, "This new evidence shows encouraging signs of a broadening and deepening recovery in the manufacturing sector."

"Manufacturers finally seem to be feeling the benefit of growing confidence and spending within the UK and globally," Gifford added.