This may be last time you put the clock back

Clocks will be put back an hour this month but, if agreed by all 28 EU countries, the plan could mean that when we move clocks forward on March 31 next year, it will be for the last time ever.

Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker revealed the plan after a Europe-wide survey of 4.6 million people revealed that 84% wanted an end of daylight saving time.

There have been calls to end daylight saving time for years, with campaigners citing health problems and, in France, a 47% rise in pedestrian accidents.

Mr Juncker said states would decide themselves whether to stay with summer or winter hours but neither France nor the UK have given a view.

In France, all-year summer next year would mean the sun would rise on December 21 at 9.41 and then set at 17.55.