UK trade deficit narrowed in November 2012 largely due to exports having risen more than imports, official figures have shown.

The seasonally-adjusted deficit on goods and services totalled 3.5bn in November, compared with 3.7bn in October.

The rise in exports was led by chemicals, which edged up by £446m. The UK’s total goods exports increased by 2.9% to 24.8bn, while imports rose by 1.1% to 34bn.

The UK’s export and import of services in November remained unchanged. Services exports were valued at £15.5bn, while imports totalled 9.8bn.