Britain's total trade deficit widened in March from February, according to data from the Office for National Statistics.

The U.K.'s goods and services deficit rose by £1.92 billion to £3.09 billion in March from about £1.18 billion a month ago.

The goods trade deficit ballooned to £12.29 billion from £10.41 billion previously as imports accelerated.

The service surplus fell to £9.2 billion from £9.24 billion a month ago.

In the three months to March, the total trade deficit narrowed by £700 million to £6.9 billion due mainly to lower goods imports from non-EU countries.

In the 12 months to March, the trade deficit narrowed by £13.3 billion to £26.6 billion as growth in exports outpaced that in imports.