Just over one in six ­businesses could quit ­Scotland if there is a Yes vote in the independence referendum, a survey has suggested.

Research for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce found 8% had definite plans to move away from Scotland if it voted to leave the UK, while 10% said they were considering moving.

Just under half of the 759 businesses surveyed (49%) said they would change their strategy if Scotland became independent, with almost one-quarter (24%) stating they had already changed a business decision as a result of the debate about the country's future.

A total of 38% of firms said the main risk for their business was the "uncertainty over the issues or the time it will take during the transfer to independence".

However, 23% of companies said there were no risks associated with Scotland leaving the UK.

Almost two-thirds of firms backed a currency union in the event of independence, the policy favoured by the Scottish Government but already ruled out by the three main parties at Westminster, and 62% of firms said this would be "extremely positive" or "positive".

Meanwhile, 68% of firms said they backed increasing the Scottish Parliament's powers after a No vote.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was clear firms were "actively preparing for the potential outcomes of the referendum."

A Yes Scotland spokesman said a No vote would create real uncertainty, adding: "There are major opportunities to be gained for the business community with a Yes vote, as this survey underlines."