WORKERS struggling to achieve a decent balance between work and their home lives would prefer to have their hours cut than win the National Lottery, according to a report published today.

The study, carried out by the Department of Trade and Industry and Management Today magazine, raised concerns about long hours and illness.

There was "strong evidence" that stress levels were worse if people worked long hours and had few flexible working options.

One in six of workers, (17 per cent) in the North-East worked more than 60 hours a week, compared to a national average of 16 per cent.

And 27 per cent of those surveyed in the region worked more than ten hours overtime a week.

More than half of Northerners (54 per cent) who claim their lives are unbalanced blame it on long hours, compared to a national average of 32 per cent.

About 20 per cent of workers in the North-East have visited a doctor because of stress, compared to 12 per cent in London and 15 per cent in the Midlands.

However, the survey found that the North has the highest percentage of people walking to work (18 per cent) and 56 per cent who spend less than five hours per week travelling to work, compared to an average of seven hours for people in London.

And while 26 per cent of workers in the region would like to balance their life better, they believe their careers would suffer as a result.

Commenting on the report, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "Stressed workers with frayed nerves cannot perform to their maximum and employers know the damage this can do to commercial success."

Stress was costing British industry £370m a year, which was why employers and workers had to find sensible work-life balance arrangements, she said.

Matthew Gwyther, editor of Management Today said: "Helping workers to balance their work and home lives is no longer simply a supplement to traditional management methods, but essential best practice."