FED-up bosses in Bury have helped highlight nationwide concern over the soaring costs of employers' and public liability insurance.

A new survey by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), incorporating responses from many members of Bolton and Bury Chamber, has drawn attention to the issues.

This is the first time any hard statistical data has been compiled to reveal the problems businesses have been facing over the past year. The results show that in the North West, 10.9 per cent of manufacturers and 3.8 per cent of other businesses have been refused insurance cover altogether and 19 per cent of manufacturers and 15 per cent of other businesses are seeing increases in premiums of between 50 and 100 per cent.

And it has also been disclosed that more than a quarter of all North West businesses surveyed have been offered cover at higher cost with substantially increased deductible or excess.

The survey has formed part of the British Chambers of Commerce's (BCC) lobbying on the issue, which helped influence a proposed government review of Employers Liability insurance, announced by the Chancellor in his pre- Budget report.

Meanwhile, the BCC is seeking assurances that businesses will not have to shoulder similar levels of increase next year and beyond.

Said Kay Gregson, director of customer service for Bolton and Bury Chamber: "The issue of soaring insurance premiums has been raised by our membership with increasing urgency. A number of local businesses are under threat from having insurance cover withdrawn and from the increase of insurance premiums to totally unrealistic levels.

"This survey highlights the severity of this problem and we look forward to working with the Government and the Association of British Insurers to find a sensible solution for all parties involved."