The proportion of UK exporters supporting British membership of the euro has fallen below 50% for the first time since the cash launch of the currency, a survey has suggested.

"The introduction of the euro on the continent eight months ago gave a positive boost to UK business views of the currency, but this has now waned," said David Coles, managing director of DHL UK, which conducted the survey.

The survey suggested 49% of UK exporters believed British membership would have a positive impact on their businesses.

This compared with a figure of 58% for April-June of this year and 52% for January-March.

The reading has yet to rescale levels hit immediately after the euro's January 1999 launch as a virtual currency when 71% of UK exporters favoured British membership.