INSTANT VIEW: Manufacturing sector shrinks again in Aug

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's manufacturing sector shrank for the fourth month in a row in August as demand from home and abroad fell, a survey showed on Monday, in a further sign the economy is edging towards a recession.

The figures, although slightly better than expected, still point to a marked economic slowdown and will reinforce expectations that Britain is about to enter its first recession since the early 1990s.

However, Bank of England policymakers may be concerned to see further evidence of inflationary pressures building in the sector.

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KEY FIGURES FOR CIPS/MARKIT UK MANUFACTURING PMI SURVEY

Aug July Forecast

Manufacturing activity 45.9 44.1* 44.0

* July figure was revised from originally published 44.3

KEY POINTS