An Oxford MP has urged the Government to reject calls to allow supermarkets to open all day on Sundays.

Andrew Smith, Labour MP for Oxford East, said there was no public demand for a review of current trading arrangements which prevented large stores from opening longer than six hours on Sundays. He said liberalising opening hours would lead to the closure of small shops and end the "special character" of Sundays.

Speaking yesterday in a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Smith said: "I think the onus is very much on those who want longer or deregulated hours to make the case. I don't think they have succeeded in doing this. I don't think they have convinced the public either. Both from what my constituents in Oxford tell me and from opinion polls, I see no tide of opinion in favour of longer opening hours for large stores quite the contrary."

Trade minister Malcolm Wicks, who was responding to the debate, said he had "some sympathy" with the idea of keeping Sundays special.

But he said the fact current rules had been in place for more than 12 years meant it was sensible to take another look.

Earlier this month, Banbury MP Tony Baldry also joined the debate when he told the Commons there was no justification for permitting supermarkets to open longer.