Bridlington MP's call to keep clocks on British Summertime in bid to boost tourism and prevent accidents

East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight said the move would also help boost tourism in the area.

He has renewed his call to abandon the ‘annual ritual’ and is urging that the clocks “be brought forward by one hour all year round”.

Sir Greg’s views are backed by road safety organisations, tourism bosses, the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board, the Lawn Tennis Association and The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

Sir Greg said: “Under our current arrangements, the country will soon be plunged into darkness from mid-afternoon every day until next Spring. I am calling for a review with a view of scrapping this winter time misery so we can enjoy lighter afternoons the whole year around.

“Putting Britain on summertime in winter would boost tourism in East Yorkshire, where it gets dark a full 30 minutes before sunset in Cornwall. It would also reduce accidents.”

Reducing accidents is not the only reason for changing the time zone.

Sir Greg added: “We would also all save energy as daylight hours would better reflect our waking hours.”

Sir Greg is now calling for a two-year trial of ‘lighter evenings’, but so far the Government has not shown enthusiasm for such a proposal.