THE overwhelming majority of business leaders believe independence would be damaging to companies in Scotland, according to a major new survey.

In a blow to SNP hopes of winning over Scotland's corporate sector, 72% of bosses at large and medium sized firms said leaving the UK would have a "negative impact".

Just one in eight (13%) respondents to an Ipsos MORI poll of 251 senior decision makers said it would have a positive impact on companies, while 9% believed it would make no difference.

The remainder were unsure.

Only one in 10 believed their company's prospects would improve if Scotland left the UK.