Small business owners in the UK are working more than 60 hours a week, with almost one in ten putting in 100 hours a week, according to a poll by BT Tradespace.

The survey found that 8% of SME owners were working a 100-hour week, while the most common number of hours put in was 50-60, with 21% of respondents working this amount of time every week.

With many small companies struggling in the current economic climate the survey has revealed the drive and ambition of small business owners to ensure that their firm continues to operate.

"Those running small and medium sized enterprises are working hard to compete and that shows the passion, drive and resiliance they have," said Mick Hegarty of BT Tradespace.