British businesses are to be encouraged to welcome the euro - whether they agree with it or not.

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) is preparing to launch a campaign to ensure its 135,000 members are ready for the single currency, as it believes a referendum on the issue is likely to be held within a year.

The BCC's Euro Fitness Guide is being unveiled on Monday and will include advice on pricing, services and how to review systems to make the transition to the euro a smooth one.

The move comes as a new survey appeared to dash hopes held by europhiles had that the more Britons used the single currency abroad, the more they would like it.

Peter Hain: Believed Britons would come around to the euro

The ICM study suggested that just one in 25 Britons who had visited the eurozone since the new currency's launch in January had changed their views in favour of the euro.

Pro-euro politicians, including Foreign Office minister Peter Hain, had suggested that opposition to the euro would fade as British people got used to using it on holidays and business trips.

The ICM poll, reported in the Sunday Telegraph, indicated that just 4% of people who had previously opposed British entry into the single currency changed their minds after visiting a country where the euro was now legal tender.

Ballot

As only 40% of people are expected to travel to the 12 eurozone countries over the course of the summer, the overall impact of exposure to the euro will be even smaller - giving the yes campaign a boost of just 2% - suggested ICM.

In February, a poll of 3,008 adults by the company found 54% opposed to euro entry and 32% in favour.

The BCC is to ballot its members on whether or not they want to join the euro and collate the results in time for the autumn party political season.

The organisation says its members are generally reluctant to spend money on preparing for change - but it hopes its campaign will encourage them to take steps regardless.

Since its inception, 12 countries have begun using the euro. Britain, Denmark and Sweden have so far opted out.