The TUC predicts a shopping boom on a new Bank Holiday

Union body the TUC is calling on the government to introduce three extra public holidays to bring the UK into line with the average of 11 in the EU.

More than 40% of those taking part in the poll on its website favoured a break during the October half-term.

Yet business leaders' group the Confederation of British Industry said extra breaks would hurt the economy.

But the TUC believes there would be "no impact" on the economy, as retail and tourism industries would receive a boost.

Work-related stress

There is also a potential reduction in work-related stress, which it says costs the UK �4.4bn ($7.21bn) a year.

In the past, bosses have wildly exaggerated the costs of introducing more bank holidays... TUC's Brendan Barber Millions starting holiday getaway

The TUC said it had examined economic growth following the introduction of the Working Time Directive in the UK in 1998, which gave some six million workers an increase in annual leave.

"In the past, bosses have wildly exaggerated the costs of introducing more bank holidays, but our calculations suggest that the UK can well afford to bring in extra days," TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said.

The survey of almost 20,000 people revealed 41% would prefer a day in late October for a new Bank Holiday.

And almost a third opted for St George's (23 April), St Andrew's (30 November) or St David's Day (1 March).

Around 11% chose New Year's Eve, while other choices included International Women's Day (8 March), Trafalgar Day (21 October) and Armistice Day (11 November).