Manufacturing is expected to start growing again

The study by the Royal Bank of Scotland indicates that the private sector economy is starting to grow again.

Official government figures indicated that the Scottish economy was contracting in the early part of this year.

They confirmed previous research from the Royal Bank of Scotland's PMI Business Survey.

The bank's regular survey of business conditions suggested that the private sector in Scotland had lost ground for six months in a row.

However, the research published by the bank on Monday signals that Scottish business may have turned the corner.

It indicates that both the service sector and manufacturing will grow for the remainder of this year.

However, the Scottish economy still appears to be lagging behind the rest of the UK.