As the days get shorter and the nights draw in, over half of Brits reveal they suffer from winter time blues, according to a survey released today by O2* to mark the launch of its new Long Weekend tariff.  To beat the winter blues, O2 is offering its customers long weekend calls for free (every Saturday, Sunday and Monday), to bring a smile back to the 46% of people in the UK who feel miserable when the clocks go back.  O2 customers can also enjoy Comedy Mondays, Horoscope Mondays and Games Mondays. As the UK has fewer bank holidays** than any country in Europe it’s no surprise that almost three quarters (74%) of Brits, especially those aged 18–24 years old (84%), strongly believe we should have an additional long weekend. More than one third of respondents would choose to take an extra Monday off in October than any other month of the year.  Perhaps this is because it’s the halfway point between the longest period of time without a break and it would make 59% of Brits feel more relaxed. It may even help to prevent people taking ‘sickies’, as a third of people under 24 –  twice the national average – admit to skiving to avoid work on a Monday. The survey reveals that 70% of employees work over 40 hours a week and over two thirds of the UK workforce, especially those aged 24-34 years old (71%), don’t even get paid overtime – doesn’t the UK deserve to have an extra bank holiday? No wonder almost two thirds of Brits would like more time to spend with their families, or at home catching up on the cleaning, ironing and paying bills (44%) and 38% of people would like to go out and have fun with their friends. An extra bank holiday may not be available this year, but every weekend can be a long weekend with O2’s Long Weekend tariff.  O2 Comedy Mondays O2 customers can lighten the Monday morning blues by selecting six comedy video clips from a choice of 30 to download free of charge to their mobile including American Dad, Modern Toss, Angry Kid, Office Idiot, Kiss Me Kwik and Cheeseman. Simply call 2112 every Monday to get your free link to your comedy Monday. As well as being able to view the clips on their handset, O2 customers can win the chance to enjoy some of the UK’s top comedy stand up acts at comedy clubs around the country. Simply text the venue’s specific key word to 22522 for a fastest finger based promotion to win a VIP comedy night for you and one guest powered by Trinity Mobile. O2 Horoscope Mondays From November, O2 customers will be able to draw inspiration for the coming week from leading astrologer Russell Grant, by downloading their weekly horoscope every Monday. Simply call 2112 every Monday to get your free link to your horoscope Monday. O2 Games Mondays O2 games fans can enjoy a long weekend of mobile entertainment as part of O2’s Long Weekend proposition. On one Monday in December, O2 will be offering gamers a free mobile game to download from a choice of four great EA titles – including Need for Speed™ Carbon. Other games include The Sims 2, Tetris and FIFA 06 Football. Simply call 2112 on one Monday in December to get your free link to your games Monday. Downloads are available to all Pay Monthly & Pay & Go customers on both i-mode and O2 Active. To locate your nearest O2 shop and take advantage of this offer simply call 0800 244 277 or text STORE to 80202.  -ends- * Experian Omnibus survey commissioned August 2006 amongst 1,000 people. Further statistics and regional breakdowns are also available on request.  ** According to the Fabian Society, the UK has fewer bank holidays compared with the rest of Europe *** Available to all customers across Pay Monthly & Pay & Go on both i-mode & O2 Active.

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