It is estimated that only one in five English people will mark St George's Day. The BBC News website looks at one man's quest to revive interest in the feast day of England's patron saint.

Over 50% of people would like to go to a St George's Day event

A recent survey by English Heritage shows more people celebrate the anniversary of Guy Fawkes' attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament than St George's Day.

But deep in the heart of Hampshire one man is working hard to change that.

From his Lymington home, Colin Tabor has been running a national campaign to increase awareness of all things English.

By garnering votes through a poll on his website, Mr Tabor hopes to have 23 April recognised as an English public holiday.

The poll currently claims the support of more than half a million people.

The 51-year-old property developer says his campaign was inspired by a general apathy in England towards St George's Day.

He said: "There is a lack of celebration in this country surrounding St George's Day. Compared to the Irish St Patrick's Day, the American Independence Day or Australia Day, here we'll do nothing.

Downing Street petition

"We are campaigning to raise awareness and campaigning for a public holiday. In England we have four or five less public holidays than our European neighbours.

"It's about patriotism not nationalism.

"I think it (a public holiday) will happen. Not next year or the year after but the level of support is snowballing."

Last year Mr Tabor, who stresses that the campaign is non-political and secular, was joined by legendary English cricketer Ian Botham to deliver a petition to Downing Street calling for a public holiday on April 23.

Going for a curry

Meanwhile the recent English Heritage survey of 1,800 people showed that while 82% know when St George's Day is only 19% would celebrate it, compared to 60% for Bonfire Night.

When asked how they would like to spend the day more than half of respondents said that a family day out at a special St George's Day event would be a suitable way to celebrate.

He's a mythical character and many other cultures lay claim to him but he's very much mythical Colin Tabor

Other suggestions included eating fish and chips, trying a spot of morris dancing, sipping English cider and ale, playing traditional children's games - and even going for a curry.

Events manager Kellie Blake, from English Heritage, said: "It is clear from the results of this survey that English people are aware of St George, and even know when the patron saint's day is.

"That is encouraging news - the Irish and Welsh put on a great show for their patron saints, and it would be great to see England doing the same."

Down the pub

But a quarter of those surveyed cited a lack of knowledge about St George as their reason for not celebrating the day.

Almost half believed St George to have been one of the mythical Knights of the Round Table - in fact he was an officer in the Roman army.

But Mr Tabor is not so sure.

"He's a mythical character and many other cultures lay claim to him but he's very much mythical," he said. "I doubt he was English but neither was St Patrick Irish."

And how will he be celebrating?

"With a roast lunch down the pub and a pint of English ale."

Meanwhile English Heritage has organised a number of events across the country to mark St George's Day including a Dragon Trail for children at Portchester Castle near Portsmouth.