Unions call for extra bank holiday

The TUC and a number of voluntary organisations want the new bank holiday to be in October.

Union chiefs said the day could also provide an opportunity for the country to recognise the importance of volunteers and community groups.

A new holiday at the end of October would appeal to incoming prime minister Gordon Brown, the groups argued, as he has called for a new day to bring the people of Britain together to celebrate their shared values.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "This is an idea whose time has come. It will encourage more community involvement, celebrate our shared values as a nation, and help meet the holiday gap between Britain and the rest of Europe, but in a constructive way. It's a great opportunity for a new prime minister to make a mark in history."

It comes as an estimated 18 million people are set to take the nation's roads for the bank holiday weekend.

However, there is also no shortage of reasons to stay in London for break.

Those in search of a quirky way to spend their extra day off should head to Clapham Common where, from tomorrow until Monday, spectators will be able to watch sheep being raced along a 100-metre sprint and performing in a dance show.

It is the first time that sheep have been allowed on the common for 90 years - flocks have not been grazed there since the First World War.

The sheep display is part of a three-day event called A Country Life, which will also feature ferret racing, Morris and maypole dancing, a circus workshop and traditional fairground rides.

Music-lovers should head for the Paradise Gardens Festival in Hackney's Victoria Park. The event continues until

10.30pm tomorrow and on Sunday and includes street theatre and a designer village fête as well as music and a circus. In Chatham, this weekend sees the opening of Dickens World, a Charles Dickens-inspired theme park built at a cost of £62million.

Monday is Africa Day in Trafalgar Square. Starting at midday and carrying on through to 7pm, a festival will celebrate London's African communities.

The Natural History Museum's Ice Station Antarctica exhibit opens today. Visitors will be able to experience what living and working in the frozen continent is like.

www.visitlondon.com
www.dickensworld.co.uk

Traffic & travel

Roads
With 18 million vehicles on the roads over the weekend, the AA is warning that popular routes such as the M25 and M5 could come to a "virtual standstill". Other hot spots will include the M1 in both directions between junctions 6A and 12 and northbound between junctions 21 and 30. The M4 could be hit with tailbacks westbound, as could the southbound M23, M3 and A3. Delays are also expected on the northbound M11. Outside the capital, drivers can expect long queues on the M42 and A45 near Birmingham, as well as on the M6 northbound from the West Midlands through Staffordshire, Cheshire and Lancashire towards the Lake District.

Rail
GNER trains to and from King's Cross will start and terminate at Peterborough. Replacement buses will run between Peterborough and Luton, where passengers can connect with Thameslink services into London. Trains between Euston and Watford will also be replaced by buses.

Airports
All UK airports will be busier than normal. Be prepared for long queues at check-in and security.