Legislation to outlaw Christmas Day trading looks set to be in place in time for this year's festive period. Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody has agreed to introduce a private member's bill preventing stores over 3,000 sq ft opening for business on Christmas Day. The law already prevents shops over 3,000 sq ft from opening on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday. Dunwoody will be seeking to ensure that the same principle applies whatever day of the week it falls on. She said: "We are amending an existing piece of legislation and it should be a very short process and in place by the General Election in May 2001." The Association of Convenience Stores welcomed the proposal. Public affairs manager James Lowman said: "This will re-establish the 3,000 sq ft rule. Although Christmas Day trading has not been too big a problem so far, it could escalate in the future." Bill Connor, general secretary of the shopworkers union Usdaw, who recently presented a petition to Downing Street calling for a ban on Christmas Day opening, said: "I am delighted. With Gwyneth's help we will stop any extension of Christmas opening in its tracks." {{NEWS }}