ALTHOUGH the economy has slowed in some areas, progress continues to be made in Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

The latest quarterly economic survey by the area's Chamber of Commerce points to steady and sustained growth in both the manufacturing and service sector.

A record 347 local businesses completed the survey for the third quarter with more than 7,000 businesses taking part in the national survey across the domestic Chamber network.

Mike Ashton, chief executive of Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: “The quarterly economic survey for Q3 2014 shows that economic growth is continuing, but at a slower pace than Q1 & Q2. Within manufacturing the domestic and export balances are lower than Q2, both nationally and locally. The services sector are showing continued strength although there has been a decline in the export balance from Q2 to Q3, both nationally and locally. However, local results show that our economy is growing above the national averages. In terms of domestic and export sales, we are above the national average. Coupled with higher than the national average results in recruiting full-time staff and investment in training, it shows that locally the economy continues to develop."

While many indicators on the survey have fallen from their first and second quarter benchmarks, the results indicate the economy continues to grow at slow pace, with employment figures rising, it shows that the economic recovery is still on track.