OPTIMISM in the dominant UK services sector is continuing to grow, according to a long- established survey.

The CBI's Service Sector Survey said business volumes were in positive territory for the fourth quarter in a row in the three months to May. Firms are also planning to take on more staff, as well as spend more on training employees and improving IT systems.

Researchers found that optimism had risen at the fastest rate since the data collection began back in 1998.