OWNERS managers of hundreds of North-East companies are being asked which issues really matter to their businesses in the run-up to the next general election.

Leading business advisers Grant Thornton, which works with more than 1,000 owner managed business in the region, is conducting a major national survey in which UK owner-managers will be asked what question they would put to the Prime Minister Tony Blair to help their business.

According to the Chamber of Commerce, regulatory burdens have cost UK businesses an estimated £10.14bn over Labour's first term, and so the survey is expected to generate interesting and emotive responses.

Mark Hargreaves, managing partner of Grant Thornton in Newcastle, said: "It will be specially interesting to see which issues are thrown up by the owner managers of North East businesses.

"These companies are vitally important to the future economic wealth of the region especially as another inward investor, Sumitomo, has decided to pull out of the area."

Business owners are encouraged to participate via the Grant Thornton web site www.grant-thornton.co.uk or call 0207 728 2764 for a questionnaire.

The results of the survey will be revealed and debated at an owners day events on November 15, organised by Grant Thornton's offices throughout the UK.