Small businesses in the UK are in danger of losing out because of difficulties in hiring skilled tradesmen and women, such as plumbers and builders, a survey has found.

Research by the Yellow Pages directory found that delays in getting hold of skilled workers to repair or improve offices threatened "serious commercial damage".

Nearly one in five of the 1,100 firms surveyed said they had experience "unacceptable delays" when they tried to hire a trade person.

And two-thirds of the companies said they thought the government was not doing enough to reduce trade skills shortages.

Regional differences

This is a serious trend and one which could have a major impact on the economy if it continues John Condron, Yell

The survey indicated that the problem was worst in the South of England, with nearly 70% of firms there saying the situation had got worse.

The best areas were Wales and the North West of England, but even there just over half of respondents thought things had deteriorated.

The skills shortages meant there had been an increase in delays in getting hold of tradesmen and women.

And 5% of firms said the problem had already had a measurable impact on their business, with both time and money being lost.

Many of the firms said they would resort to DIY and carry out their own repairs if they could not get hold of anyone.

"The findings clearly indicate that small businesses - the entrepreneurial backbone of the country - are increasingly affected by shortages in the trade skills area," said John Condron, chief executive of Yell, which publishes Yellow Pages.

"This is a serious trend and one which could have a major impact on the economy if it continues."