THE status of the UK as an oil exporter was dealt another blow yesterday by figures showing the economy relied on imports of crude in September.

Not since records began a quarter of a century ago has the UK imported more oil than it sold overseas for two months in succession, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.

Imports outstripped exports of oil by £200m in September. That followed a deficit of £500m the previous month.

Maintenance to rigs was again behind the gap, although the ONS said less repair work was taking place in the North Sea compared with August. Efforts to pump oil from one field were also affected by a major fire.

The overall gap in trade narrowed to £5.4bn in September from a revised figure of £5.9bn the previous month, which analysts said was in line with expectations.

Yesterday's figures also suggested that the beginnings of a recovery in economies in the EU were yet to benefit the UK.

The trade deficit with EU countries widened to £3.1bn in September, from £2.8bn the previous month, with exports to France, Germany and Spain all in decline.

Compared with a three per cent fall in exports to all EU countries, goods shipped to the rest of the world rose nine per cent during September.

HSBC economist John Butler said: "The one area of big weakness for the UK remains the eurozone."

The trade surplus in services recovered to £1.6bn in September after the potential payouts by Lloyd's of London insurers for damage caused by Hurricane Katrina wiped £1.4bn from the figures.