Manufacturing has been dubbed the "unsung hero" of the economy as it returns to rapid growth across Kent and the south east.

Strong demand across all sectors has been pushed by robust demand from overseas markets, especially Brazil, Russia, India and China.

The Manufacturing Outlook survey by the EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, and BDO LLP business advice firm, revealed that rising demand had triggered new jobs and investment.

In the south east, almost nine in 10 firms reported growing or stable output, with 87 per cent saying that total new orders were at the same level or had increased over the previous quarter.

Jim Davison, EEF regional director, said manufacturers had been working incredibly hard to sustain the recovery that started at the beginning of the year.

But he warned that growth next year would be against an uncertain backdrop, particularly for companies that had heavy reliance on the public sector. "And the strong bounce back has also brought challenges, with some manufacturers struggling to get the skills they need and facing rising costs," he said.

Meanwhile, the CBI, the employers' organisation, said manufacturing should be at the forefront of the country's economic development.

Its latest report Vision and Ambitions for UK Manufacturing says it is the unsung hero of the economy. John Cridland, director-general designate, called on the Government to act fast and build on the sector's strengths.

"We want the Government to be ambitious: focus its support on the sectors with most export growth potential, and improve the UK's competitiveness as a place to invest."