West Midlands manufacturing is lagging behind the rest of the UK economy because of its failing automotive and metal sectors.

A survey of the three months to March by RSM Robson Rhodes and the Engineering Employers Federation saw manufacturing output slow and minimal growth in orders during the last three months.

This was in comparison to the South-East, South-West and East Midlands, which saw buoyant aerospace and electronics industries return good growth.

Bob Hale, chairman of RSM Robson Rhodes' National Manufacturing and Technology Group said the result was due to a poor showing by the metal products and automotive industries in the region.

"Conditions remain tough in these sectors," he said.

It has been a troubled three months for the region's manufacturing industry.

Brierley Hill-based engineering and hardware group Eliza Tinsley was forced into administration last month after banks refused to throw the firm a cash lifeline.

The move put 1,000 jobs at risk at the group's factories in Britain, Italy and the US.

In December the group had posted pretax loss before exceptionals of #551,000 from a profit of #85,000 a year earlier on turnover of #41 million, up from #37 million.

Birmingham vanmaker LDV ceased production for most of December as it fought a sudden shortage of cash.

The company went into administration only to emerge a few hours later in the ownership of American private equity group Sun Capital Partners.

The turmoil saw the departure of long-serving chief executive Allan Amey and a plan to axe 240 jobs at the Washwood Heath plant.

"I would have preferred the last three months to have been better for the West Midlands," Mr Hale said. "But there have been some encouraging signs, such as planned levels of investment, which have risen to their highest for eight years.

"There is still a raft of very successful businesses within the regional economy including major players such as Rolls Royce, IMI and GKN, as well as many smaller players such as Castings, Hill & Smith, Hadley Industries, Hampson Industries and Wagon.

"Those Midlands' manufacturers that have re-engineered themselves should continue to prosper within the global marketplace."

Ian Smith, chief executive of EEF West Midlands, said the fate of the automotive and metal industries obscured some more upbeat results for the region.

"Electricals and aerospace have done well," Mr Smith said. "Let's not talk ourselves into a disaster."

The general picture across UK manufacturing was more optimistic.

Companies are being encouraged to hold on to their workforce after big cuts in the past few years, the EEF said.

The picture is brightest in the South-West, as well as in Scotland where the electronics industry is powering growth.