MORE than half of managers at Blackburn with Darwen Council claim their job is causing them sleepless nights, an internal survey has revealed.

Sixty six per cent of full-time staff claim stress is increasing, a third feel stress at work is affecting their personal life and 42per cent fear speaking out may affect their career prospects.

But the survey also revealed that half of employees -- more than 5,000 -- were satisfied with their level of pay, 83per cent praised friend colleagues and 72per cent felt secure in their jobs.

Two two-thirds of those who took part in the MORI survey said they were generally happy with the council as an employer and 57per cent said they were proud of the authority.

Today unions said stress levels at the successful council were high compared to other local

authorities because of the high standards being demanded.

But opposition councillors today described the results of the survey - only made public after a Lancashire Evening Telegraph request under the Freedom Of Information Act - as worrying.

They now want a review into working practices, fearing that stress levels could be contributing to the authority's high sickness rates.

Coun Kate Hollern, leader of the council, said: "I have asked for these issues to be dealt with by executive management because staff don't work at their best when they are under pressure.

"Most staff said they were proud to work for us and did feel motivated, but we have to make sure that they are being treated well. As a public sector employer, we have a duty to set an example to the private sector."

Don Clarkson, assistant branch secretary for Unison, said: "Part of the problem is that here the council is doing particularly well and keeps striving to do even better, but the personnel and personal issues can get overlooked.

"The stress levels are high and I think that is associated with the standards expected.

"We want to work with the council to tackle the stress being caused. To have a high number of people not sleeping at night because of the job means it will contribute to the high sickness. The council is a successful one but needs to consider the impact management expectations have on staff."

Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "This report is damning. Management need to take a good, long hard look at they way people feel they are being treated or services will suffer."

Tory leader Colin Rigby said: "We are seeing some services failing but the Government still says the council is doing well. The pressure for pretty little awards seems to be at the expense of services and staff welfare."

Simon Jones, local representative for the National Union of Teachers, said: "Blackburn with Darwen has a reputation as being a tough employer and that is why recruitment of teachers is very difficult for schools."

Phil Watson, council chief executive, said: "The purpose of this service is provide us with a picture of life working across the council.

"By listening to our employees we can ensure that we are meeting their needs and addressing issues that may be causing concern.

"Internal communication and worklife are improving."

The figures were collated in the autumn and the return rate was around one-in-five -- high for surveys of this type.

The survey is carried out every two years by the council.

Normally, the figures are not made public, and a council spokesman said it was impossible to compare figures from the last survey to the findings this time.