The region's economic growth is predicted to continue in 2017 but at a modest rate as uncertainty is expected to hit confidence in the services sector, a survey has found.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has published its quarterly economic survey (QES) which reports that the weakening of the pound, since the Brexit vote, has put pressure on firms to raise their prices in the new year with 55% of manufacturers saying they expected they would have to increase them.

However, manufacturers appear to have been boosted by the currency's fluctuations with 22% more firms reporting an increase in exports, up 13%.

Norfolk Chamber chief executive Caroline Williams, who was recently made a MBE for her services to business, said: 'As we start 2017, Norfolk businesses are continuing to trade through uncertainty, and are looking to seize opportunities as they arise.

'The QES findings suggest that business communities across Norfolk and the rest of the UK remain resilient, and many firms are expecting continued growth in the months ahead.

'Inflation has emerged in our survey as a rising concern for many businesses.

'Both manufacturing and services firms say they are under pressure, particularly from the rising costs, which are squeezing margins and may weaken future investment.

'It is therefore vitally important that our local councillors, together with our MPs, work hard on our behalf to bring investment into our county to help improve the business environment in order to encourage business growth.'

Both services and manufacturing sectors showed confidence that their turnover would increase, rising to 35% and 63% respectively.

The skills shortage in manufacturing was clear however with 78% of businesses reporting they had trouble recruiting, down 8%.

After falling in the third quarter, in the final three months of 2016 27% of manufacturing firms said they were investing in plant and machinery.

Jonathan Cage, chairman of Norfolk Chamber and managing director of Create Consulting Engineers, said it was a good sign for the region.

He said: 'I think it has all been short-termism in the last couple of years and I think what we want to see coming through is that long-term planning.

'If people are investing in importing and buying equipment you need to import it, make it and service it and it moves things on.

'Quite often people make gut reaction decisions on something that happens on a particular day and unfortunately that is so detrimental to good business planning and it means that you get good businesses go out of trading because they have been caught out or people won't make those future long-term plans and recruit and you end up with short-term contracts which is just not the way that would be good for the region to grow.'

For more see Mustard TV's Business Extra tonight from 7pm.