SMALL and medium sized enterprises in the south west are still saying no to the euro.

Research from the Forum of Private Business shows that 63 per cent of members would vote against the euro if a referendum were held in the next year.

"Last year 65 per cent opposed entry into the euro, so there has been a slight shift in attitude since the euro became currency in 12 of the European Union member states," said Nick Goulding, FPB chief executive. "It is clear the Government has a lot of work to do to convince SMEs of the benefits to their business of joining the euro."

FPB member Michael Eathorne-Gibbons said: "The euro is bad for business.

"It will lead to higher taxation and higher regulation.

"It will also mean our elected government will lose control over the economy in both monetary and fiscal terms."