New orders were the strongest for almost 20 years and job creation accelerated, according to the Markit/CIPS UK Manufacturing PMI survey

The purchasing managers’ index – where scores above 50 represent growth – rose from 56.5 in October to 58.4 in November.

This was the eight consecutive month in a row of growth, and the highest leve since February 2011, suggesting the economic recovery has gained traction.

The pound climbed to $1.6442 and €1.2120 before pulling back.

The sterling trade-weighted index rose 0.5% to 85.1, its highest since November 2008, according to Reuters data.

Dovish monetary policy has been supportive of the recovery, and the Bank of England does not plan to raise interest rates until the UK’s unemployment rate drops below 7%, new Governor Mark Carney has pledged.