The TUC has launched a national search for a new bank holiday after finding that people in Britain get fewer public holidays than any other country in the European Union.

The TUC found that all the new countries that joined the EU on May 1 this year have more public holidays than Britain, with Cyprus topping the table offering 16 public holidays a year - double Britain's eight days.

By comparison, France has 11 public holidays and Germany has 9-12 and the average across the EU was 11.35 days.

The TUC is running an online poll to find a new public holiday. Suggestions include a national saints day, New Year's Eve and no extra day off at all.

To vote in the poll go the TUC Worksmart website.