The number of people working more than 48 hours a week has increased, according to a report out today.

A top union leader called Britain's long-hours culture a national disgrace.

Almost four million employees are working at least 48 hours a week, 350,000 more than a decade ago, despite a European directive aimed at reducing working time.

Managers and professional staff work the longest hours, while one in 25 men is toiling for at least 60 hours a week, according to the TUC report.

The research showed the European directive, which aimed to limit hours to 48 a week, wasn't working.

TUC general secretary John Monks said: "Britain's long-hours culture is a national disgrace. It leads to stress, ill health and family strains."

The TUC said its survey showed how badly work was managed in the UK compared with other countries.

The average working week in the UK is now 43.6 hours compared with a European average of 40.3 and limits of just 35 in France.

Changes to the directive are expected following an EU review in 2003, which the TUC believes will make it tougher.

Firms were urged to organise their work more efficiently.

Mr Monks said: "Half the country is caught in a vicious circle of low pay, low productivity and long hours, with the other half trapped in their offices and battling ever growing in-trays."

Mary MacLeod, chief executive of the National Family and Parenting Institute said: "This is yet another report that highlights the long-hours culture that is putting serious strain on family life in the UK."

The CBI said workers wanted the right to make their own decisions about working extra hours.

Over regulation could severely damage competitiveness, it added.