conflicting signs of the state of UK manufacturing have emerged after a survey showed sustained growth in the sector last month.

The closely-watched Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply's (CIPS) Purchasing Managers' Index, which draws together information from a number of indices to measure overall activity, stood at 55.6 last month.

This was higher than the 55.2 mark for April and represented the 11th consecutive month of expansion - in contrast to official figures showing the sector to be in decline.

The Office for National Statistics said last week that manufacturing output fell during the first three months of the year.

HSBC economist John Butler said: "This simply broadens the puzzle between the survey evidence and official data."

The figures also show the impact of higher fuel costs on UK manufacturers, with input prices rising for the ninth month in succession.

Companies said soaring oil prices and shortages of raw materials were making it difficult to keep costs down.

Bottlenecks in the supply chain meant companies were struggling to deliver their goods on time, the CIPS said.

This not only added inflationary pressure but also increased the burden on manufacturers' inventory levels.

Demand for consumer goods grew strongly, with reports of new contracts from regions including the US, Europe and the Middle East.