Small businesses in Oxfordshire are more likely to export their goods or services than any other area of the country.o A new report has found almost half the county's smaller companies now have dealings abroad, with Europe by far the most important market, followed by North America.

Exporting is closely related to turnover size, as more than half of the businesses surveyed with a turnover above £1m had exported over the past year, compared with less than one-quarter of those with a turnover of less than £100,000.

The active exporters tend to be businesses that employ between five and nine staff, are well established and most likely to be manufacturers and wholesalers, according to the findings by NatWest Bank and the Small Enterprise Research Team backed by the Open University.

The biggest obstacle in the way of exporters is the strength of the pound, which makes UK goods more expensive abroad.

Lewis Finch, NatWest's area business manager for Oxfordshire, said: "This is just another example of the dynamic nature of our small business community and demonstrates the ambition and drive that really sets them apart."

The findings came as an invitation goes out to businesses to participate in a workshop giving insights into how to win business in China.

The event, which takes place next Tuesdayat the Oxford Hotel, off the Wolvercote roundabout, in Oxford, will feature advice from experts at Government department UK Trade and Investment, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and the China Britain Business Council.

Lewis Scott, director of trade and investment, said: "Winning business there does not happen overnight it takes a great deal of time and effort to get the right partners and overcome local bureaucracy."