POLL-Euro zone services growth up as prices soar

* NTC/RBS Eurozone Services PMI <PMI/EUSA> rose to 52.0 in April (Flash, Forecast 51.8, March 51.6)

* The input price index climbed to a level not seen since October 2000

* Outstanding business fell to 49.1, its lowest since August 2005

* Eurozone composite index in-line with April Flash estimate of 51.9 (Flash, Forecast 51.9, March 51.8)

(Adds detail, comment, market reaction)

By Jonathan Cable

LONDON (Reuters) - Euro zone services sector growth picked up in April and input price inflation hit an almost eight-year high, quashing any expectations of an imminent interest rate cut, a survey published on Tuesday showed.

The RBS/NTC Eurozone Purchasing Managers index for the dominant services sector rose to 52.0 in April, just up from the flash estimate of 51.8 and the identical 51.8 forecast by 39 economists polled by Reuters.

However, economists said the upturn could be short-lived.