Workplace stress is apparent in most British enterprises - but experts believe that the younger you are the more likely you are to be stressed out.

Psychologists from the universities of Manchester, Liverpool and Lancaster studied 4,700 administrative staff and secretaries and found that older employees had a different attitude towards work than younger staff.

According to the study, workers over 56 are less stressed than their younger counterparts, partly because they are looking forward to retirement.

Bradford businesswoman Patricia MacLean disagrees. The 59-year-old founder of logistics firm MC Logistics Ltd based in Low Moor believes the reason why people over 56 are less stressed is that they are older and wiser.

"I think they're less stressed because they know their job inside out," she says. "I think the older you become the more knowledgeable you become, although you're still learning - you're learning every day - but you're more mature and you cope with it better.

"I think the stress age bracket is 30s and 40s. People have to grow up fast and realise that time is catching up on them."

Pensioners' champion Audrey Raistrick, trustee and secretary of Neighbourly Care, an organisation looking after the interests of the elderly which meets at Bradford's Thornbury Centre, believes it's all in the mind.

"I worked until I was 65," says the 81-year-old retired lecturer from Bradford. "I did it right to the end. I could not say I wasn't more tired. Obviously your body slows down but your brain is still working.

"I think it's to do with your frame of mind. Some people are more energetic throughout life."

Gillian Douglas loves her job so much she was persuaded to stay on as a check out operative at B&Q's Euroway store in Bradford.

The 64-year-old came to a compromise and works two days a week. She doesn't believe stress is down to age or whether you're looking forward to retirement.

"Some may be looking forward to retirement but I think there are a lot of people who don't want to retire," says Gillian.

"I think it depends on circumstances but I do think older people have more patience and get on with the job."

Younger ones, she says, could be under more pressure from bosses to perform.

Another explanation, according to the research being presented to the British Psychological Society's occupational psychology conference in Bristol, is that under 25s don't expect to have much control over their work.

Rachel Gladman, a 24-year-old media relations co-ordinator for Yorkshire Building Society based at the company's Bradford HQ, blows that philosophy out of the water.

She believes younger workers are more stressed because they are striving too hard in their quest to succeed.

"I think younger people feel they are under a lot more stress because there's always the challenge of proving yourself and, without being ageist, compared to older workers who are more mature and probably have more experience in the role, younger people can push themselves too hard.

"We are pushing ourselves to get as far as we can so some of the stress comes from our own urge to succeed."

Heather Church, executive coach and trainer who runs the Potential Portfolio helping people achieve their goals and ambitions, says: "Things will always improve and change and I think when you get older you have the wisdom and experience to deal with things."