MPs call for Cornish bank holiday

St Piran's Day is marked by a march across the dunes at Perranporth

Cornwall's five MPs are demanding that St Piran's Day becomes a public holiday in Cornwall.

The MP for North Cornwall Dan Rogerson has tabled a Commons motion, backed by Cornwall's other four Lib Dem MPs.

The motion says the day is a "valuable opportunity" for the people of Cornwall to celebrate their "unique heritage, language, culture and aspirations".

They say the significance of and support for St Piran's Day on 5 March is growing each year.

'No current plans'

Bodmin Town Council already gives its workers St Piran's day off.

The UK currently has eight bank holidays - half the number of Italy.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has indicated that he would look at ideas for an extra bank holiday.

But last week Business Minister Lord Jones of Birmingham told peers: "The present pattern of bank holidays in the UK is well established and accepted and the government have no current plans to change the arrangements."

Every year hundreds of people walk across the dunes at Perranporth, many carrying the black and white Cornish flag to mark St Piran's feast day.

St Piran, patron saint of tin miners, is said to have come ashore at Perranporth in the 6th Century, having journeyed in a currach from Ireland.