Britons more optimistic about economy

LONDON (Reuters) - Britons are more optimistic about the economy than at any time for the past 18 months, according to a Populus poll for The Times on Tuesday.

The poll shows that the number of voters thinking the country as a whole will do well over the next year has risen from a quarter to a third since July and is now the highest since April 2008, the paper said.

Still, nearly two thirds still think that the country will do badly over the next year, it reported.

The British economy shrank by 0.4 percent in the third quarter, marking the longest period of recession since World War Two, according to official data, and contrasting with earlier recoveries in the U.S. and euro zone.

Still, there are signs that an economic pick-up is in sight. House prices are rebounding and a survey on Tuesday showed retail sales values rose last month at their fastest annual pace since April.

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,504 adults aged over 18 by telephone between November 6 and 8 for the poll, the Times said. (Editing by Carol Bishopric)