Companies in Bradford which advertise on the internet are failing to achieve the desired business benefits, according to a survey.

The Lloyds TSB Commercial Business in Britain survey of more than 1,700 British companies found almost two thirds of businesses in the area advertise on the internet.

But it revealed just two per cent report a significant increase in business.

According to Lloyds, the problem can be explained in part by firms' reluctance to receive orders or payments online.

Just seven per cent of firms in the region are taking web payments - slightly less than the national average - whilst a hefty 72 per cent in Yorkshire are unable to receive web orders.

Sandy Sanderson, area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial, said: "Somewhat surprisingly, this holds true across all sectors. Hotels and caterers, the biggest advertisers on the web, are widely ranked amongst the biggest web winners.

"However, despite more hotel and catering firms being able to take online orders and payments than any other sector - 43 per cent and 18 per cent respectively - the survey reveals that they are having the same lack of response as their counterparts in other areas.

"The construction industry is the least web-friendly as only half - 53 per cent - advertise on the internet at all.

"A massive 90 per cent of construction firms are unable to take payment online and almost three quarters - 74 per cent - report an inability to receive orders via the web."

Over a third of local firms, 34 per cent, dismissed the web entirely, saying that online promotion had not increased their business.

However, the proportion of companies that found trade improved slightly was marginally higher at 40 per cent.