THE latest Darlington Business Index figures have been described as "considerably more positive" than for some time.

Each month, the index assesses business activity based on figures filed by a selection of firms around the Darlington area during the past month.

The index compares the figures with those of January 1999.

This month's figures, assessed by Peter Hogan, tax partner with Clive Owen and Co, show increases in turnover, employees and confidence, in line with national increases.

The UK enjoyed a 0.7 per cent increase in manufacturing output in May, following a 1.1 per cent rise in the previous month.

Mr Hogan said of the most recent Darlington statistics: "The figures for the last month look considerably more positive than they have done for some time."

He said: "The increases in turnover in Darlington, and in manufacturing in the UK as a whole, are indeed good news, but do not reflect what is happening in the US.

"America's consumer confidence has fallen, with the University of Michigan index at its lowest since November last year.

"Because the US drives so much of the world economy, under-performance will affect businesses in Darlington.

"It is to be hoped that our US counterparts will see improvements, similar to ours, in the near future."