GREATER Manchester's small business bosses are casting aside their entrepreneurial Del Boy image in favour of a softer, greener approach.

That's according to research issued today by Clarity Business Banking from The Co-operative Bank.

The survey of 500 Greater Manchester entrepreneurs and small-business bosses conducted through NOP, highlighted the extent of their socially responsible nature.

It looked at attitudes to green issues, trading with oppressive regimes and attitudes towards employing people from ethnic minorities.

A total of 92 per cent said all business should adopt good environmental practice, even though 64 per cent believed that going green will cost them money. Seventy one per cent believed it is their duty to employ people from a diverse ethnic background reflecting the make -up of their local community.

However, there are a few skeletons remaining in the corporate closet with six per cent willing to do business with organisations that invest in oppressive regimes.

Also, in a question designed to gauge personal honesty, the entrepreneurs were asked how they would respond if they received a restaurant bill which missed off an expensive bottle of wine they had ordered and drunk.

A total of 71 per cent said they would alert the waiter, but 27 per cent admitted they would try to get away without paying for it.