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The study of the work life-balance culture of Britain's small business managers revealed an average increase of almost three working hours a week compared to this time last year.

Bank of Scotland Business Banking said overall Britain's 1.4 million small businesses are collectively putting in 31.2 million extra 'working weeks' each year.

A quarter (26 per cent) of small business owners expect to work longer hours for the remainder of the year as a result of the current tough economic conditions.

Those in Scotland work the longest house, with an average working week of almost 52 hours compared to entrepreneurs in the South East who clock up 47 hours a week.

However, this increased burden is impact on entrepreneurs' health, with seven in 10 small business owners now claiming to feel stressed by running and managing their business, compared to only half last year.

Meanwhile, 24 per cent of respondents said they were unlikely to even take a full week's holiday this year. More than seven in 10 take less than 20 days holidays a year, while 26 per cent take less than 10 days a year.

Peter Wood, head of strategy and products at Bank of Scotland Business Banking, said: "Given that the stakes are so high, it comes as no surprise that Britain's entrepreneurs are burning the midnight oil to try and make a success of their business.

"Unfortunately, however, there is a clear downside to the pursuit of success for some small business owners with increased stress levels.

Wood added: "We know, from our own experience of working with small businesses, that one of the biggest problems they face is the amount of time spent dealing with administration and regulation.

" If we can create an environment for small business in Britain that helps SMEs work smarter, by allowing them to get on with the job of running their business, then we will continue to see SMEs grow and prosper."