BETTER office environments can lead to increased staff performance and productivity according to 78 per cent of workers in the region.

A study commissioned by Mitie Property Services and carried out by NOP reveals the business benefits for bosses to provide their employees with smart, well-lit and modern working environments.

In the Swindon area, some 31 per cent of office workers polled stated that their office space had recently been improved five per cent more than the national average.

Bill Robson, managing director of Mitie Property Services said: "The results of the research area crucial in encouraging bosses across the UK to follow the South's lead."

Professor John Potter, professor of psychology at the Centre for Leadership Studies at the University of Exeter said: "While the management gurus list many factors that lead to creating an organisation, it is difficult to create a good place to work if the working environment is uncomfortable, too noisy, too cold, messy or disorganised, and this is reflected in the research.

"The quality of the surroundings in which we work plays an important part in expressing the perceived value of the people who work in the organisation.

"By creating a pleasant working environment we are taking the first step towards showing our people that we value them."