The TUC is stepping up its campaign to tackle Britain's long working hours after new evidence family life is being damaged.

The trades union umbrella organisation said more people were working long hours than a decade ago despite a European directive aimed at limiting the working week to 48 hours.

UK workers can opt out of the directive but the TUC said many were not aware of their rights or signed them away under pressure.

An analysis of scores of calls to the charity Working Families showed almost half regularly put in a working week of more than 48 hours, which most believed affected family life.

Friday September 03, 2004