NORTH West businesses are among the least optimistic about their future sales growth, according to new figures published.

A survey commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Marketing has disclosed that businesses in the region expect sales to increase by just three per cent.

This is compared to 14.2 per cent in the south west and a national average of 4.9 per cent.

Nationally, confidence levels in sales growth have dropped sharply compared to three months ago when predicted sales growth for the following 12 months stood at 7.1 per cent.

Figures for the North West also showed that the region was sceptical about achieving its sales growth targets.

A total of 67 per cent of firms described their targets as "very challenging" with only one third labelling them as "realistic."

The region was ahead of the national average in terms of plans to accelerate prices during the next year, with an expected price hike of 1.2 per cent compared to 0.7 per cent nationally.