Over 40% of small business owners are experiencing sleepless nights worrying about the recession, according to research from Close Invoice Finance.

The data also revealed that 70% of SME owner managers are significantly more stressed because of the economic downturn than they were before and 43% admitted that this has had a direct negative effect on their home life.

"For their own peace of mind, it is crucial that owner managers adopt a robust attitude to risk and consider how best to safeguard the long term health of their business during today's difficult trading conditions," said David Thomson of Close Invoice Finance.