Over half (56%) of Yorkshire’s exporters expect to see improvements in their ability to compete in international markets in the next year, a rise of five points since six months ago.

The research from the latest Business in Britain report from Lloyds Bank, show that a similar number (52%) had seen growth in their overseas sales over the last six months.

Half of the region’s exporters had seen sales to Europe increase during the same period, while a little less than a third had grown trade with China and 29% had increased sales to the US.

The mood remains buoyant with just under half (44%) expecting their overseas sales to rise over the next six months.

Simon Quinn, regional director at Lloyds Bank global transaction banking, said: “It’s heartening to see that a large number of Yorkshire exporters demonstrate confidence towards their trade prospects, especially in light of continued domestic and international uncertainty.”

Now in its 26th year the Business in Britain report, interviews over 1,500 UK companies, mainly small to medium-sized businesses, on a range of issues facing them and also found the following:

• 21% of Yorkshire exporters expect the main opportunities for international trade to come from China, up four points from at the end of 2017

• While 17% expect the biggest opportunities to come from the US, a fall from 30% six months ago