THERE was evidence of a recovery in the manufacturing sector last night after a survey found that factory orders had risen for the second month in succession.

The Confederation of Brit-ish Industry (CBI) reported that the number of companies reporting order books healthier than normal stood at 18 per cent this month, while 34 per cent said they were unusually low.

The balance of minus 16 per cent was the most upbeat since the same month last year.

l A former editor of the Financial Times has been appointed as the new director general of the CBI.

Richard Lambert will succeed Sir Digby Jones, who is stepping down in the summer.