I AM sure that your readers, like me, had more than enough of shopping by the time the shops shut on Christmas Eve and were looking forward to a day at home with friends and family on December 25.

That is the kind of Christmas day that we want for Britain's 2.6 million shopworkers. However, year on year more and more shops are opening their doors on Christmas Day, forcing our members to go to work. Even Scrooge let his staff have Christmas day off! Budgens, Woolworths, Kwik Save, Sainsbury's, Safeway, Allders and Debenhams are opening some stores on Christmas Day, or are giving it serious consideration.

At present there is a measure called the Christmas Day (Trading) Bill going through Parliament, which will stop all large stores opening on Christmas Day. Unfortunately the new law did not come into force in time for this Christmas. The Bill has been passed by the House of Lords and is due to be considered by the House of Commons next year.

Your readers can help our campaign by writing to their MP asking that they support the Bill when it comes before the Commons.

Christmas Day is a very special day and we believe it should remain so. I would like to wish all your readers a very restful Christmas and a happy New Year.

BILL CONNOR

Union of Shop, Distributive & Allied Workers, Swindon