THE most optimistic manufacturers in Britain and the North are to be found in Northern Ireland, Wales and north west England, according to a survey published yesterday.

Business confidence is positive in six out of the 11 regions. Firms in East Anglia and the north of England are the most pessimistic.

The breakdown is based on the industrial trends survey of manufacturers published by the Confederation of British Industry on July 23rd.

Jointly produced by the CBI and the regional economic consultancy Business Strategies, it shows orders increased in six areas in the four months to July Northern Ireland, the east Midlands, south west England, the north west, south east and East Anglia.

Growth in orders is concentrated in the regions where exports have increased, the survey indicates.

Export orders are expected to increase in all regions over the coming four months, although firms in the east and west Midlands and Scotland remain cautious.

Total orders from inside and outside Britain and the North - are expected to rise in all regions except the east midlands. Manufacturers in Northern Ireland and Wales are the most optimistic about total orders.