AS summer holidays become no more than a memory, spare a thought for the bosses who are too busy to take even a few days off work.

According to a survey of small businesses in the North West, almost one in five have not had a holiday in the past 12 months.

For the self-employed, the picture is worse with more than a third having to work for 52 weeks a year. In the farming and agricultural sector, more than half have not had a holiday in the past year.

The research for Clearlybusiness, the internet business portal, showed that the average boss of a small firm manages just 10 days away from work every year.

Chartered psychologist Sue Keane said it was important for the bosses of small companies to take yime away from wotk.

"Most small business owners decide to set up on their own to be in control of their time, but find that things can quicklu spiral out of control," she said.

"It is not easy to take time out when running your business, but it really is necessary to get away from the day-to-day grind by spending time with family and friends."