German growth spurt raises hopes of eurozone recovery

Export powerhouse poised to 'surf wave of economic wellbeing' as GDP figures reveal mixed fortunes across eurozone states

Stronger-than-expected German growth has signalled a winter recovery for the eurozone economies - though some members, including crisis-hit Greece, were left trailing behind.

Official figures showed that GDP across the 19 members of the single currency expanded by 0.3% in the last three months of 2014, led by the export powerhouse Germany, which expanded 0.7%. Germany's statistics office, Destatis, said domestic demand and exports were strong, helping the economy gather momentum at the end of 2014.

Related: Eurozone economy grew by 0.3% in the last quarter