JUST 20 per cent of business leaders attending an advice day wanted the UK to join the single European currency.

A poll of 265 people at the HM Customs and Excise Business Advice Open Day at the Ramada Hotel in Hollingbourne said they were in favour of scrapping the pound in favour of the euro.

The Big Small Business Initiative (BSBI), which conducted the poll, found that most of the people in favour of entry saw the main benefit as supporting their growth strategy in Europe.

"If they are not currently operating in Europe they believe they might want to in the future," the BSBI said.

More than 1,400 people attended the event opened by Ann Widdecombe, MP for Maidstone and the Weald.

It featured experts from a number of organisations, including HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue.

BSBI, a source of free advice, support and information for small businesses, is the open day national sponsor.

Membership gives small businesses access to a wide range of free online services, including a question and answer section on any business issue, advice on how to run a small business, support materials and member offers.

Businesses can register free by visiting www.bsbi.co.uk or calling 0870 870 1165