LONDON, July 9 (Reuters) - Britain's goods trade deficit with the rest of the world narrowed more than expected and to its smallest in almost three years in May as imports from non-EU countries fell, the Office for National Statistics said on Thursday.
The figures were partly boosted by the oil balance returning to surplus for the first time since September.
Britain's goods trade deficit with the rest of the world narrowed to 6.263 billion pounds in May from 7.137 billion in April, much lower than the 6.75 billion pound gap forecast by analysts and the smallest deficit since June 2006.
The ONS said the improvement was driven by lower imports from non-EU countries, with declines in fuels, consumer goods, chemicals and capital goods.
The goods trade gap with non-EU countries narrowed to 3.264 billion from 4.116 billion, also below forecast and the narrowest since April 2007.
The oil balance returned to surplus for the first time since September at 188 million pounds -- its highest since December 2004. The ONS said that may have been partly the result of UK refineries running down stocks due to closure for maintenance in April and May.