THE UK trade gap with the rest of the world widened to a record £3.9bn in September.

Falling exports and rising imports were behind the estimated rise from the revised figure of £2.6bn in August, data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown.

Experts said the figures cast doubt over prospects for a manufacturing recovery.

They also warned that they represent "another piece in the jigsaw" of similarities with the late 1980s, when a large deficit came on the back of high consumer debt and a booming housing market.

John Butler, of HSBC, said: "It simply illustrates the risks facing the UK."

The figures showed that the UK's deficit on trade in goods is provisionally estimated at £4.8bn against a revised £3.4bn in August.

Trade in services showed a surplus of £900m against the £800m recorded in August.

During September, total exports of goods fell 2.5 per cent to £15bn, while total imports advanced five per cent to £19.8bn, the ONS said.

Exports of goods to European Union countries fell two per cent and imports from the EU rose three per cent, while exports to countries outside Europe dropped 3.5 per cent and imports rose eight per cent.

The UK notched up its first monthly oil trade deficit since August 1991, standing at less than £100m against a £400m surplus in August this year.

Analysts said extended maintenance shutdowns in the North Sea partly explained the deterioration, depressing exports of crude oil and pushing crude imports to their highest level since the early part of 1985.