BURY business leaders have backed a report highlighting how overworked managers are struggling to strike the right balance between work and life.

For according to The "i" in Business Survey, half of the nation's business owners and managers are working longer hours and are under increasing pressure to perform.

The survey, conducted by HSBC in association with the British Chambers of Commerce, shows that extra effort is reaping rewards through increased sales turnover during the past five years.

But on the downside, business chiefs are struggling to find time outside work.

More than 6,100 business people responded to the survey which found that 49 per cent of respondents admitted they were working more hours than five years ago.

And 62 per cent felt more pressure to achieve results over the same period while 51 per cent said new technology hadn't eased their workload.

Despite these obstacles, 71 per cent of business owners, managers and directors had achieved an increase in turnover over the past five years.

Andrew Ratcliff, chief executive of Bolton and Bury Chamber, has commented on the survey findings.

"This report echoes many of the concerns of our local business members who struggle to balance their mounting work pressures with leisure and family time and are becoming increasingly frustrated with the growth of red tape."

For copies of the survey, ring 0800 34 34 35.