Calls for St George’s Day to be declared a Bank Holiday have been made by local UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom.
“It should not only be celebrated but marked as a national holiday. Every year a big fuss is made about St Patrick’s Day and it would be fantastic if as much fuss was made about the patron saint of England.
“There has been an improvement in public recognition over the past few years but it is really still a very low key event. It is something UKIP is pushing for and we have today set up an e-petition.
“We have far fewer public holidays in this country than many European countries and I believe it would be appropriate for one to be instituted for St George,” said Mr Bloom.
“I hope as many people as possible will show their support for St George by wearing a traditional red rose next Tuesday.
“Gallons of Guiness is downed on St Patrick’s Day and no doubt the patriotic English could do the same on St George’s Day with traditional real ales, which thanks to an increasing number of micro-breweries, are readily available. This in turn could help for our flagging pub industry,” he added.
