As autumn half-term starts, the TUC is renewing its call for a new bank holiday to break the 17-week slog from the end of summer to Christmas.

The union held an online poll earlier this year on its WorkSMART website to find out workers' favourite time of year for an extra bank holiday, the start of the autumn half-term won with 40% of votes.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "If this Monday were a Bank Holiday, millions of hard-working families would be able to spend a day with their children during half term without taking extra leave.

"Millions of employees could give our leisure and retail industries a boost or take a long weekend away and help our tourism sector. Others could simply be enjoying a well-earned extra lie-in and a very happy Monday."

The TUC is calling for three new holidays during the year, to bring the UK up to the European average of 11 public holidays each year.

Only The Netherlands has fewer public holidays than the UK, but Dutch workers have more annual leave.