The dip in the value of the pound has failed to bring relief to Britain's manufacturing exporters with overseas orders falling again in June.

The Confederation of British Industry's monthly industrial trends survey showed manufacturers' order books were further below normal than at any time since last August.

The poor figures came despite the slip in the value of the pound, which had been riding at all-time highs against the euro earlier this year.

The lower pound should make British goods cheaper for overseas buyers, increasing their competitiveness.

But, according to the CBI's survey, 48 per cent of manufacturers said their export order books were below normal in June and just 9 per cent said their were above normal.

The balance of minus 39 per cent compares with minus 35 per cent in May and minus 29 per cent in April.

The CBI's director general, Digby Jones, said: "Exporters are continuing to suffer from the strength of sterling, despite the easing in the exchange rate over the past month. Export orders cannot be regained in just a few months."

Manufacturers' total orders, which include those to UK customers, were also below normal.

Of those surveyed, 31 per cent said total orders were below normal and 13 per cent said they were higher than was typical for the time of year. The figures continue the trend seen in May.

And most manufacturers expect prices to fall over the next four months as competition continues to be fierce. The CBI's Industrial Trends survey covered 1,017 manufacturing companies.

During the survey period of the first half of June, the pound was worth an average of 1.59 euros or 1.5 dollars, compared with 1.7 euros and 1.53 dollars during the May survey.

At the end of last week £1 was worth 1.51 dollars and 1.6 euros, making one euro worth 66p or $0.93.