Over a third of small business owners are now working over 50 hours per week to try and combat the recession, according to research released by Abbey and Alliance & Leicester.

The data also reveals that 15% of small firm owners are working in excess of 65 hours a week; the equivalent of a minimum of 13 hours per day over a five day working week.

34% of small business owners say that they are now working longer hours than they were a year ago and the average amount of time a small business owner spends workinga week is 47 hours.

"The recession is having a huge impact on small businesses in this country and many owners are sacrificing their work-life balance by working longer hours as they struggle for the survival of their business," said Paula Ickinger, Head of Business Banking Marketing at Abbey and Alliance & Leicester.