SOUTHAMPTON businesses could be literally playing with fire by failing to plan for a major emergency.

That's the warning from Business Link in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the wake of new research revealing only 45 per cent of the region's companies have crisis management plans in place.

According to the findings the most commonly feared threat to a business is loss of information technology, followed by the loss of people and telecommunications. Other perceived threats include loss of access to business sites, loss of skills, power cuts, fire and terrorist damage.

Deborah Wyatt, director at Business Link, said: "When thinking of emergencies, it is often high profile disasters such as avian flu or last year's attacks on the London Underground that come to mind.

"But while it is important to prepare for the very worst that can happen, it is imperative that companies also plan for the more everyday problems that can strike their business.

"Unplanned events can be devastating for small companies and if they don't handle them properly they will almost certainly lose customers and quite possibly go out of business altogether.

"Conversely, having a carefully thought-out business continuity plan will prove that your business is robust enough to cope with anything that might be thrown at you - possibly giving you the edge over your competitors."

There is extensive advice available from organisations as diverse as local councils and MI5 to help business prepare for disasters.

For further information about planning for an emergency or to speak to an adviser about how to assess risks, contact Business Link on 0845 600 9 006 or visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/businesscontinuity or www.businesslinkhampshireiow.co.uk.