Moreover, holding the poll on the same day as next year's elections to the Stormont Assembly might have a beneficial knock-on effect for Mr Trimble, whose centre-ground supporters have appeared increasingly reluctant to come out to vote.

BBC: Unionist pressure results in border call

Under provisions in the bill, the referendum will be held on 5 May next year - the same day as voters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland elect members of their devolved legislatures and many areas of England have council elections.

BBC: Parliamentary Voting Bill part one

But for you European blokes who'll be suffering the same launch day madness that we're still surviving next year, we highly doubt Sony will cut you any slack, especially considering how much dough they're already losing.

ENGADGET: Blu-ray disc drive prices to be halved by 2008? HD

He returned the next year, several months after his mother and first wife, Alice, died on the same day, and established the Elkhorn Ranch, which is about 25 miles east of the Montana border.

WSJ: Oil company eyes ND site near Roosevelt ranch

Next year, there will be a "National Offer Day" for primary schools, in the same way as there is one for secondary schools, where councils coordinate so that parents across England find out about places on the same day.

BBC: Parents hear about primary school places