Businesses are being urged to start preparations for British membership of the euro.

The British Chambers of Commerce, which is publishing a Euro Fitness Guide containing practical tips for employers, says that a referendum on the single currency could be less than a year away.

The guide, produced in association with the Royal Bank of Scotland, urges businesses to examine software and start pricing products and services in the new currency alongside Sterling rates.

It also sets out the possible impact on company departments from human resources to accounts.

The BCC is warning that many businesses have failed to begin preparations for the single currency because of uncertainty over the government's intentions on holding a referendum.

"Small businesses are understandably reluctant to spend substantial sums of money on preparing for the possibility of UK entry into European monetary union," said BCC president Anthony Goldstone.

"However there are steps that businesses can and should take now that will save them money in the long run and minimise any risks of not being ready in time, should Britain decide to join."

The BCC also said it will poll its 135,000 members on whether they wanted to join the euro. The results will be published in time for the party conferences in the autumn.

The Liberal Democrats welcomed the BCC's move. Treasury spokesman Matthew Taylor said it was "clearly in the interests of business to be prepared".

"The choice is obviously one for the British people to make, but now is the time for the government to launch the debate. The biggest cost to business is uncertainty," he said.