Eastleigh is taking action to help the borough's captains of industry tackle what has become the scourge of the 21st century.

Nationally, work-related stress is costing industry £4 billion and it accounts for half of all sickness from work.

Now the Eastleigh Workplace Health Alliance and Eastleigh Council's Environmental Health Service have joined forces to stage a half-day conference to help businesses take action to assess and prevent stress at work.

It is being held at West End's Hampshire Rose Bowl on November 5 to coincide with National Stress Awareness Day.

And the organisers have put together an impressive array of experts who will tackle all aspects of how stress is blighting our working lives.

There is also advice on how to put a smile on workers' faces.

Among the speakers is Kate Hull Rodgers, Director of HumourUs, a leading authority on humour in the workplace.

For 13 years she advised governments, businesses and health organisations on five continents.

She says: "I know nothing about receivables, profit margins or payroll - I know everything about how to motivate the people who do."

Research has revealed about half a million people experience work- related stress at a level they believe was making them ill.

Up to five million people in the UK feel very or extremely stressed by their work. Work-related stress costs society between £3.7 billion and £3.8 billion every year. It is the second biggest cause of occupational ill-health in the country.