Small business owners are turning to their dads for words of wisdom to ride out the recession, a new study has revealed.

More than a quarter of small and medium sized businesses (27%) have asked 'downturn dads' for advice and nine in ten rate his advice as good - higher than any other informal source, including partners.

But businesses are continuing to rely on the expert help and services of more formal sources of support. The survey of 600 small and medium sized businesses showed that 57% of SMEs use these sources of advice, demonstrating the crucial service they provide.

The study also revealed the pitfalls in relying on friends or family, particularly ex-partners, with businesses admitting that they had provided the worst advice they had ever received.

Royal Mail polled the businesses as part of its Partner for Growth campaign, celebrating success and supporting growth among the UK's 4.7 million small businesses.

Sales and marketing topped the survey as an area of crucial importance to small and medium sized businesses, with a third (34%) keen to receive sales and marketing tips. However it is also an area where large numbers of SMEs have received bad advice.

Royal Mail, as part of its Partners for Growth campaign, is offering small businesses the opportunity to get free tailored help and advice at its website royalmail.com/growth After completing a short questionnaire, a business is sent a free personalised growth pack containing advice, product and service recommendations and inspiring case studies of companies of a similar size and type to theirs.

Cary Cooper CBE, Professor of Organisational Psychology and Health at Lancaster University, said: "In order to thrive, SMEs need to ensure they have a rounded knowledge of all help available to them.

"They lack the functions and support that larger organisations are privy to such as in-house functions and funding, so need to utilise every support network. Turning to one's Dad for business advice is great as long as it is coupled with a formal source to back it up. Royal Mail's growth website is a gift to SMEs in this case."

Tim Rivett, Head of Small Business at Royal Mail, said: "Business owners who can call on friends and family for good advice during difficult times are fortunate but such informal sources cannot always deliver the continued support and practical guidance that many businessmen and women require.