Britain's under-pressure service sector showed further signs of recovery last month but people spent less in the shops.

A survey by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, (CIPS) showed service sector growth edged up further from January's level - which was the first growth since September 11.

The CIPS index recorded 52.1 in February, up from 51.4 in January. A figure above 50 indicates growth, while below shows contraction.

The report came a day after a quarterly survey from the CBI showed Britain's service sector had seen its first rise in confidence for a year.

CIPS said although the growth was well below levels in the same period a year ago, the rate of expansion was the strongest since last June and was a significant turnaround from the falls in the last four months of last year.

The rise reflected the recovery of demand from both the corporate and consumer sectors since the start of the year.

Director of professional practice Roy Ayliffe said: "With prices remaining subdued, the Bank of England shouldn't need to fear inflation. If interest rates remain at their current level, we hope to see consumer spending sustaining the recovery."

Figures from the CBI showed High Street sales growth slowed for the second month in a row last month as shoppers eased off spending after Christmas.

However, growth remains robust and a slight acceleration is expected this month.

Alastair Eperon, chairman of the CBI's survey panel, said: "We have seen a modest easing in consumer spending since Christmas but it is pleasing no further deceleration is now expected.

"It is vital consumer spending remains strong while we wait for the weaker sectors of the economy to recover from the global slowdown."

Of the retailers surveyed, 51 per cent said volumes were up against the previous year, while 18 per cent said they were down.