NEARLY one in five Northern bosses would spend their profits on fast cars and larger houses to celebrate their success.

A survey by the Abbey National revealed 17per cent of bosses in the north said they would spend their profits on elaborate gifts and treats, compared with a national figure of 15pc.

Women company owners are more frugal with only 6pc treating themselves to luxury items compared to 19pc of men.

Women prefer to use the profits to take early retirement with around 27pc preferring that option compared to 21pc of men.

Heather Faulkner, of Abbey National, said: "The results show that most entrepreneurs in the region do not set up their business to make big bucks.

"More than half the bosses in the region want to use their profits to make their companies even better. "