THE idea from Tony Banks, the former Sports Minister, that there should be a public holiday on Monday, July 1, if England reaches the final of the World Cup is, we feel sure, going to win a great deal of support.

After all, when Senegal reached the quarter finals of the tournament, a national holiday was immediately declared.

If - and it is a very big if - England beats Brazil, Sven-Goran Eriksson's men stand every chance of reaching the final on Sunday, June 30. And that would be, as Mr Banks put it yesterday in the House of Commons, "a national event of great significance".

Having an official holiday on the following day would - again in the words of Mr Banks - "allow us all to enjoy the experience... or get over our disappointments".

There is, after all, speculation that millions of workers will stay at home tomorrow to watch the Brazil game - and not bother going to work afterwards.

So it takes only a little thought to imagine the state of the nation on the day after David Beckham either holds the World Cup aloft or leads his men empty-handed from the pitch. Many people are going to need that day off.

There are difficult bridges to cross before the Prime Minister can announce a public holiday - and Mr Blair himself might not want to be accused of muscling in on the party - so, for now, there is just one thing left to say: Come on England!