The TUC has called for an increase in the number of bank holidays to bring the UK into line with mainland Europe.

As thousands make the annual getaway for the August break union leaders released research showing that at least 850,000 workers lose out on their minimum entitlement due to a "loophole" in the European working time directive, while a further 400,000 miss out as employers flout the law.

British employees are entitled to 20 days paid holiday, relying on bosses to allow them to take the additional eight bank holidays per year.

According to the survey, those in the South East and London, Scotland and the North West were most likely to take their full holiday entitlement.

In contrast, the employees least likely to take their 20 days reside in Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East, the Midlands, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The UK lags behind the rest of Europe: which has an average of 34 days of annual vacation.

Austrian workers enjoy the most days off at 38, while the French enjoy 36 and the Germans 32.

Adding three extra bank holidays to the British calendar would take the total to the European average of 11.

"There is no good reason why UK workers should have the lowest paid holiday rights in the EU," said TUC general secretary John Monks.

"We are a prosperous country and can certainly afford to raise our minimum standards. Indeed, there is evidence that more holidays and increased productivity go hand in hand."

The Confederation of British Industry argued that the average employee actually took five days more than their 20 day entitlement.

"Bank holidays may not be a legal right but the overwhelming majority of UK employers give them in addition to annual leave. We like the idea of more time off but most people understand that can't come without cost," said director general Digby Jones.

The government gave the demand a cool response. "Any move to increase the number of bank holidays, or make them a statutory entitlement, would have to be balanced against the inevitable cost and disruption to industry," said a spokesman at the Department for Trade and Industry.