The manufacturing sector may be turning the corner

The bank's purchasing managers' index suggests that production rose to a two-year high last month.

The latest figures show robust growth across the private sector, with manufacturers seeing a rise in orders from the UK and export markets.

Growing confidence among manufacturers has seen staffing levels increase for the first time in more than a year.

This backs up surveys from the engineering sector and more recently the CBI and Institute of Directors, which suggest Scotland's beleaguered manufacturers are turning the corner.

However, the bank's figures suggested that demand was still much higher in the service sector.