St. Andrews holiday ?

St. Andrew's Day is to be made a national holiday in Scotland. But workers won't get an extra day off to honour Scotland's patron saint.

Instead, bosses will be encouraged to swap an existing local bank holiday for one on November 30.The announcement was made by First Minister Jack McConnell yesterday.

He originally opposed plans for a new national holiday, but has now agreed to a "sensible compromise".McConnell said: "St Andrew's Day is an important part of Scotland's history.It is also an opportunity to promote our modern country across the world." Ministers hope November 30 will become a money spinning focus for Scottish celebrations, similar to St Patrick's Day in Ireland.Opposition parties welcomed the move, although the SNP said they would continue to press for St Andrew's Day to be made an additional holiday.

Scottish TUC deputy general secretary Grahame Smith said he hoped firms would grant the new holiday on top of existing breaks.And Andy Willox, of the Federation of Small Businesses, said the plan was "common sense".

Official support for St Andrew's Day follows years of campaigning by Independent MSP Dennis Canavan.His Bill to create a St Andrew's Day Bank Holiday was blocked by the Executive last year, amid fears it could cost business up to £400million in lost time.

The compromise deal is set to become law next year.Falkirk West MSP Canavan has agreed to the deal. But he said yesterday: "My preferred option is that it should be an additional holiday."