Car makers drive longest period of manufacturing growth in UK since 1994

Auto exports and pharma output soar, but mining, energy and construction drag down total industrial production, says ONS

Britain's car factories are helping drive the country's manufacturing production to its longest period of growth in more than 20 years, according to government figures.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said cars made for export and a bumper month for pharmaceutical firms helped output grow for the sixth month in a row in October - the longest unbroken period of manufacturing growth since 1994.