The proposed legislation would cover large stores

Labour MSP Karen Whitefield wants to bring in legislation at Holyrood which would cover shops with a sales area of more than 3,000 sq ft.

"I firmly believe that we in Scotland should protect the special nature of these public holidays," she said.

The shopworkers' union Usdaw is backing a ban, but stores say such a move would cost them �56m in lost revenue.

The Christmas Day (Trading) Act, which became law last month, means that those employed in large stores in England and Wales will not have to work on 25 December.

Follow the lead

But the new law does not cover Scotland, where there are no trading restrictions.

Usdaw's Scottish divisional officer, Bruce Fraser, said: "Most people can't believe that retailers wish to open on Christmas Day or New Year's Day in Scotland, but the reality is different."

The union fears that more shops might follow the lead of Debenhams, which opened stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh on 1 January 2004.

Shopworkers deserve and should be guaranteed at least two days that they can spend at home with their families Bruce Fraser Usdaw

Usdaw believes that the retailer plans to open five Scottish stores on New Year's Day.

Mr Fraser added: "The Christmas season is by far the busiest time of the year for shopworkers.

"They deserve and should be guaranteed at least two days that they can spend at home with their families.

"It is not much to ask in the modern days of 24/7 retailing."

Usdaw and Ms Whitefield were outside the Debenhams store in Edinburgh on Monday to drum up support for the bill and collect signatures on a petition.

Code of practice

However, Scottish Retail Consortium director Fiona Moriarty warned that a new law would cost High Streets �56m in lost sales.

"We feel that this is legislation for legislation's sake," she said.

"If people want to shop that's great, if they don't want to shop stores won't open.