UK trade deficit grows amid rise in lorry orders for Christmas deliveries

Gap reaches 4.1bn in October, up from 1bn in September, with goods exports steady but unable to keep up with imports

A demand for foreign lorries has worsened Britain's trade deficit as transport companies scramble to buy vehicles to carry internet shopping deliveries in the run-up to Christmas.

The rise in imports of vans and heavy goods vehicles sent the deficit in goods to 11.8bn compared to 8.8bn in the previous month.