Around six out of ten small businesses in the UK have not experienced a change in turnover since the start of the recession, according to research by Mr Site and PayPal.

The research found that the top three ‘recession proof' sectors for small businesses are education, manufacturing and the public sector and that the legal, HR and finance sectors have experienced the largest volatility in turnover since the start of the recession.

An online presence has helped small companies in the current economic climate, with over half of those surveyed saying that having a website has increased their turnover.

"This research shows that despite the doom and gloom of the financial climate, small businesses are still finding ways to fight back," said Mr Site co-founder Beatrice Hatherley.