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The total value of UK goods and services sold overseas was a record £547.6billion, the statistics showed. International Trade Secretary Liam Fox hailed the news as the latest evidence that Britain's global trading links are already expanding ahead of the scheduled exit from the EU in 2019.

Dr Fox said: “Over the past twelve months we’ve helped secure more foreign direct investment projects than ever before, supported thousands of UK businesses on their export journey, and continue to promote the UK’s trade values across the world. “Britain has always been a great trading nation and we want to agree a deep and special partnership with the EU including a bold and ambitious free trade agreement and a customs agreement.

GETTY UK exports have boomed since Britain voted to leave the European Union

We’ve helped secure more foreign direct investment projects than ever before Liam Fox

"And as we leave the EU, we will be able to take advantage of the growing global markets and design a trade relationship in Britain’s national interest. "There has never been a better time for our dynamic and creative businesses to export their goods and services abroad." Dr Fox's Department for International Trade released the figure last night to mark its first anniversary.

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The Whitehall department was created a year ago in the Government's push to maximise the opportunities for fresh trade across the world on leaving the EU. UK exports last year were up by 5.8 per cent compared with 2015 and 23.2 per cent compared with 2010. Exports of goods were £301.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 4.8 per cent since 2015 and 11.6 per cent since 2010.

GETTY Liam Fox's Department for International Trade released the figure last night to mark its first anniv