Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that orders in October totalled 2,106, compared with 2,063 the previous month. 

The biggest increases were in infrastructure work, public housing and private industrial.

However, the three months to October 2008 fell by 3% compared with the previous three-month period and orders in the 12 months to October 2008 fell 10% compared with the previous 12 months.