Listed companies are taking an average four days longer to pay suppliers than six months ago.

Figures compiled by Leeds University Business School's Credit Management Research Centre show payment periods grew from 40 to 44 days. The worst payer in the FTSE 100 was Melrose Resources, at 153 days. AstraZenecaThe best, at one day, were financial services companies including Electra Private Equity and Templeton, the fund manager. The details are available at www.paymentleague.com.