An October bank holiday has come out as the top date for a new national day off.

More than four in ten (41%) of the 19,469 people who voted in a TUC on-line poll opted for a break in Autumn half term, with the national saints' days of St George, St Andrew and St David coming in second with 31% of votes.

The TUC believes that the UK economy could comfortably absorb the creation of three new public holidays to bring the UK into line with the EU average of 11 days a year.

It said that bank holidays boost the retail and tourist industries, while added time off can improve employees' productivity and cut work-related stress.

However the CBI has said that extra holidays could hurt the economy.

Commenting on the poll results, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "If we all were able to take a few extra days off work, rather than losing out, employers would benefit from less-stressed, more contented, productive staff."