I AM writing from the local branch of the Shopworkers' Union USDAW to ask for your readers' support for our campaign to stop large stores from opening on Christmas Day.

Last year, more shops than ever opened on Christmas Day and we are worried that even more will do so this year, meaning more shopworkers have to work and spend less time with their families.

Most shopworkers are not allowed to take holidays in December or January and most of them have to work on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Christmas Day is precious to shopworkers and their families and no-one should need to go shopping on that day.

Please join us in asking all local shops not to oblige their staff to work on Christmas Day.

Could you also, through your paper, ask our local MPs if they will support our campaign to support the Bill in Parliament to prevent large stores from opening on Christmas Day?

Stephen Thomas MBE,

Branch Secretary,

Union of Shop Distributors and Allied Workers (USDAW)

Port Sunlight No1 K142