BRENDAN Barber, the general secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), advocates a new bank holiday - called Community Day - in recognition of the unpaid work many people undertake as volunteers.

He stated that it would be a good way for the unelected "Prime Minister Gordon Brown to mark his recent elevation". While I would never denigrate the voluntary sector for the fabulous work it undertakes, Mr Barber and Mr Brown must realise there is a queue for the next bank holiday to be granted.

For a considerable time the evergrowing clamour for recognition of our Englishness as part of Labour's flawed devolution plan puts St George's Day well in the lead in England.

Mr Brown, committed Scotsman, Unionist and part-time England football team supporter, must recognise this and grant our national day as the next bank holiday, thereby clearing the way for the TUC to obtain its Community Day in due course. If he does not, be it on his head at the next General Election.

Mark Anderson, Middleton St George, near Darlington.