MOST Worcester companies experience few or none of the problems associated with business growth, says a new report.

A poll by Allied Irish Bank revealed that 85 per cent of the city's businesses do not fall victim to their own success and cope well during busy periods.

"According to our survey, businesses in Worcester are among the best business planners in the country," said Mark Duggan, new business senior manager in the bank's Worcester branch.

"Too often, we have found that businesses of all kinds experience problems associated with their own success.

"It's not just cashflow, although that is often a big part of it. Keeping up with a busy order book can also be a problem. Fortunately, the owners of businesses in Worcester seem well able to cope with the boom times.

"Rapid growth may seem a nice problem for businesses to have," he added.

"But if it's ignored or mismanaged, it can make life really difficult."

John Wall, Allied Irish Bank general Manager, said: "Business owners and managers need to plan for good times as well as periods of slow trade."

Firms need flexibility, and what we give them."

The survey was conducted on behalf of Allied Irish Bank (GB) in October and November 2005 by Continental Research.