Welsh business confidence is now falling.

WELSH business confidence fell to its lowest level in three months in January, dropping 11 points to nine per cent, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

The decline in confidence was largely due to economic optimism falling sharply for the second successive month.

Similarly, a net balance of four per cent of firms were pessimistic about the wider economy this month, compared with a net balance of 14 per cent that were optimistic in December.

Businesses' confidence in their own prospects fell by a more modest six points to 22 per cent.

Welsh firms' job creation plans also slid seven points, with a net balance of 11 per cent now planning to hire more staff over the next 12 months.

A net balance of six per cent of businesses said they felt the UK's exit from the European Union was having a positive impact on their expectations for business activity, down three points on the previous month.