Workers could be offered longer holidays in a bid to halt a row between Europe, the prime minister and trade union leaders.

Tony Blair is fighting to keep Britain's opt-outs from the working time directive which he believes is "the single worst" legislation he has seen from Brussels.

The temporary deal agreed in 1997, which allows firms to ignore the law if staff agree, is under review.

Other European Union leaders want the opt out scrapped because it gives Britain an unfair advantage.

The TUC said it wanted to see an end to the "work 'til you drop culture".