The survey canvassed the opinions of 250 London businesses and found that 45% supported adopting the euro within the next few years.

But 36% said the government should rule out euro membership for the forseeable future.

Making a success of the euro is proving an uphill struggle

Only 19% said they wanted Britain to adopt the euro as soon as possible.

Larger companies were more likely to favour the single currency, with 71% of those which employed more than 50 staff saying they wanted Britain to take the euro as soon as possible or within the next few years.

Among smaller firms with fewer than 50 staff, support for joining the euro was weaker at 62%.

On a sector-by-sector basis, the survey found that highest support for euro membership (63%) came from financial and business service companies, followed by 62% of manufacturers and 60% of retailers.

Euro-zone realities

The London Chamber's Chief Executive, Simon Sperryn, said the findings suggested that the Blair government still had "a lot of work to do" to convince some business people of the benefits of Britain adopting the euro.

He also said the findings did not alter the fact that UK businesses must still be able to trade with the euro whether or not Britain entered the euro-zone.

"The euro is now a reality which all UK firms must be aware of," he said.

"Irrespective of the political debate, the single currency is an aspect of business which none of us can afford to ignore."