UK trade deficit drop fails to follow forecasts as weak eurozone hits exports

Gap between goods exports and imports reduced to 10.1bn in March but economists had predicted a bigger fall to 9.8bn

Britain's trade deficit narrowed less than expected in March as a weak eurozone economy hit UK exports.

The March data suggests trade was a drag on GDP in the first quarter and not a boost as it was in the last three months of 2014.

Related: Eurozone recovery defies the odds but long-term problems remain