Exports from the West Midlands to China plummeted by a third last year - but the US rode to the region's rescue.

Sales to China, which had taken over as the region's top export partner in recent years, fell from £5.3 billion in 2014 to £3.6 billion in 2015.

However, sales to the US enjoyed a major increase, from £4.2 billion to £5.4 billion, making the traditional superpower the best friend of the region's manufacturers.

Overall, exports of goods from the West Midlands increased to £29 billion last year - up 0.8 per cent on 2014, but the pace of the rise has slowed in recent years on the back of concerns about the Chinese economy.

The data from HM Revenue & Customs also showed the West Midlands remained the third largest exporting region in the country, behind South East and London, with 10.4 per cent of total exports.

Christine Hamilton, interim regional director of UKTI West Midlands, said said: "The USA is a strong market for our area and there is no sign of a slowdown in the number of exports going across the Atlantic, while the Middle East and North Africa is another global market showing sustained growth.

"It is disappointing the number of exporters was down but UKTI are working hard with partners to encourage more companies to export for the first time."