NEW proposals to prevent Worcester stores from opening on Christmas Day have been welcomed by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw).

The Department of Trade and Industry Minister Alan Johnson has said that the Government will ban large stores from opening on December 25.

It marks the beginning of the end of Usdaw's long campaign to have legislation introduced to stop retailers opening their doors on the national holiday.

"This is exactly what we've wanted for some time," said Usdaw general secretary Sir Bill Connor.

No demand

"It's now clear the Government agrees with us and the majority of large retailers, that there is no consumer demand for Christmas Day trading.

" Shop-workers will be delighted to have legal protection from being forced to work on this special day."

Mr Johnston said the legislation was in place to preserve the special nature of Christmas Day and protect shop workers from being forced to work.

"We know that the vast majority of major stores do not open on Christmas Day and believe that legislation now will avoid future widespread opening of stores as a result of competitive pressure," he said.