SMALL businesses in the region are the most likely to apply for tax relief, a survey revealed yesterday.

Nearly 80 per cent of small companies in the region make the most of Small Business Rate Relief, compared to only 48 per cent nationally, according to the Local Government Association (LGA).

Across England, it is estimated that 500,000 small businesses are missing out on £400m in rate relief, with the lowest take-up in the North-West and London.

LGA chairman Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart said: "Hundreds of millions of pounds is sitting around waiting to be claimed by hard-pressed bosses of small firms."

The LGA is urging the owners of small businesses to contact their local council to see how much tax relief they could be entitled to.