Motorists are being advised to take more care over how they sit, to cut the rising problem of back pain in Britain, writes David Duffy.

With many people in the UK in jobs which require long driving hours, motoring assistance provider Green Flag warns that driving could be one of the major causes of back pain and urges drivers to check the driving position in their vehicles.

Nigel Charlesworth, spokesman for Green Flag, said: "People in the wrong driving position or who drive long distances in unsupported seats and take no exercise or physical activities could be doing the most damage to their backs.

"They tend to suffer from 'tired back syndrome' through lack of lower lumbar support."

To coincide with National Back Care Week Green Flag makes the following recommendations:

*Check that you are not hunched over the wheel. This is often done by drivers who are tired and have been driving for many hours

*When sitting in the driving seat, check that your legs are slightly bent so that your foot can easily press the clutch pedal down fully without moving your lower back or without lifting out of your seat

*Do not position the seat so that you are sitting upright, but try to sit so that the seat back is reclined just enough to support the whole length of the spine. The angle between your back and legs should be greater than a right angle

*Position the base of the headrest so that it is level with the base of your head

*Try and have a break from driving, perhaps a five-minute walk and stretch, every two hours, perhaps splitting long journeys into three

*Compensatory exercises are a good idea if you are in a sitting position for a long time.

Peter Fenton, a registered osteopath, said: "People who have to drive long distances or for a long time, must undo the damage from sitting in the same position for long periods.

"Highly remedial exercises, for example walking, swimming or stretching, could be used as a preventative measure against disc and lower lumbar damage and other problems which put pressure on the nerves in the spinal column."

Nigel Charlesworth added: "Most modern vehicles have several seat adjustments which drivers should utilise to ensure they are sitting in the correct position to support their backs.

"A few minutes spent adjusting the seat, or stretching during and after a long journey, could prevent years of back pain in the future."