'I gave it all up'

Two years ago Kat Alexander was working long hours - and earning big bonuses - as an advertising sales manager in London.

But a move to Brighton prompted her to reassess her lifestyle. She quit her career in advertising and now works mostly from home for a firm that promotes ethical shopping.

"If I had stayed in London, I would probably have never realised how stressed out I had become," said 31-year-old Ms Alexander. "My whole career in advertising had been long hours, big budgets, big targets and big responsibilities.

"From the start of my career I always thought, I have to do this, it's expected of me. But when you get towards 30 you think, where's everything going? I stopped in my tracks and thought, what am I doing here?

"When I left, I felt excitement and a real relief."

Kat, who lives with her partner Mike, a cabinet-maker, accepted a job as communications manager for the Good Shopping Guide. She spends two days a week at her London office and the rest working from home.

"It doesn't matter that I'm earning less - I'm enjoying my life," she said.