TODAY (January 2) has been branded flat battery day as drivers face being stranded because their cars refuse to start after standing idle over the Christmas and New Year break.

Motoring organisations are predicting a record number of emergency call-outs on the first official day back to work for many people in the UK.

The AA is predicting one of its busiest days with 60% more call-outs than normal, while the RAC and Green Flag estimate they will be 50% busier.

A flat battery accounts for half of all call- outs after the festive period and is the single largest cause of breakdowns.

Halfords recommends that if your car struggles to start, switch off all electrics and ‘dip’ the clutch to take the load off the starter motor and battery.