HOTELS and restaurants in the North West are swamped by rules and regulations requiring more than a thousand pages of guidance notes from eleven Government departments, it is claimed.

According to chartered accountants, who advise small businesses in the area, many are struggling just to keep up with the growing burden of regulation.

They are calling on the Government to reduce the burden by the wider use of exemptions for smaller businesses.

Richard Watkinson, co-ordinator of the chartered accountants' North West Enterprise Group, said businesses were increasingly unable to ascertain or understand what was expected of them.

"The majority of businesses in the region are small, with fewer than ten employees, and their contribution to the economy and employment is vital," he said.

"The latest survey by our Enterprise Group revealed the annual cost of red tape to businesses in this category increased from £1,700 a year to £3,600, and even sole traders face costs of around £1,000 a year".

A report by the Better Regulation Task Force lists 55 booklets, and notes and posters from 11 Government departments amounting to 1,500 pages of 'essential guidance for hotels and restaurants'.

Mr Watkinson said inspections of businesses seemed intended to catch them out, rather than provide constructive help and advice.