The UK's manufacturing slump worsened last month, an economic data survey found.

The Markit/CIPS manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index showed contraction, with a drop from 50.2 in April to 45.9 in May.

MarkIt said this was the seasonally adjusted measure's lowest level for three years.

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It fell by a huge 4.3 points in the month, which was its second-steepest fall in the 20 years of its existence.

The report said manufacturers had cut back on output, employment, purchasing and inventories.

Manufacturing slumped across the eurozone too, as a lack of new orders led to further job losses.

RBS analyst Ross Walker called the figures a "collapse".

Hard-hit industrial sectors included chemicals and plastics, mechanical engineering, electrical and transport.

Manufacturing accounts for just 10% of UK GDP.

(NE)