An uptick in job creation has helped fuel "renewed vigour" in the North West's economy, according to NatWest.
Malcolm Buchanan, chair of NatWest North Regional Board, added that the region recorded the fastest growth in business activity for a year last month while confidence has started to rise.
The comments come as the bank's latest UK Regional PMI survey shows that the North West private sector made a positive start to the second quarter, recording a strong rate of business activity growth alongside a faster rise in employment.
