Despite the economy slowly starting to grow small business bosses are coming under increasing pressure, according to a survey by Grant Thornton.

Just over 40% of small firm owners reported that they were more stressed than a year ago, with 34% citing the economic situation as the greatest cause of their workplace stress. This is followed by a heavy workload (26%) and pressure on cash flow (also 26%).

Owners of businesses in Northern Ireland are the most stressed of all areas of the UK with 54% saying their stress levels have increase over the year, the highest response of all the regions. Those in the East saw the second highest rise in stress over the year followed by 45% in London and the South.

"Business owners across the UK are experiencing an increased amount of stress for very different reasons. Causes of stress reported range from concern about maintaining cash flow, whereas in London and the South, business leaders are mostly perturbed by the impact of the economic climate on their business," said David Campbell of firm Privately Held Businesses.