LONDON, Aug 9: Britain’s trade in goods deficit narrowed in June to reach the lowest level in 20 months and the country's oil balance showed a surplus for the first time since April 2006, official data showed Thursday.

The nation's deficit with the rest of the world narrowed to 6.3 billion pounds in June, from a deficit of 6.4 billion pounds in May, the Office for National Statistics said.

The June figure was the lowest level since October 2005, while May's data was revised higher after an initial reading of 6.3 billion pounds.

Analysts’ consensus forecast had been for a widening of the deficit to £6.5 billion in June.

The ONS added that Britain recorded a surplus in oil trade of 257 million pounds in June. It was the first oil surplus since April 2006.—AFP