However, despite the business success associated with long hours, the report found nearly half of those quizzed believed their quality of life had deteriorated since they started their enterprises.

Most will take fewer than 20 days off this year and more than half won't be taking a two-week summer break, the research for Bank of Scotland Business Banking said.

The average small business owner works for 47 hours a week, with the highest number of hours worked in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Firms growing by more than 10% a year tended to work around 51 hours each week, recruitment firm OnRec reported.