Would you keep your Christmas decorations up until February?

This is what English Heritage is urging everyone to do to keep the nation's spirits up - and the charity says it is how our ancestors marked the season back in the Middle Ages. But do you agree?

Although in recent times, tradition has dictated that decorations must come down on or before Twelfth Night, which is tomorrow, the heritage charity is encouraging the public to do as their medieval ancestors did and leave up theirs up until Candlemas on Tuesday, February 2.

Candlemas - also known as the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary - was a feast day and the official end of Christmas in medieval England with candlelit processions in its honour.

Dr Michael Carter, English Heritage’s senior properties historian, said: “In the Middle Ages, the feast of Christmas started at around 4pm on Christmas Eve afternoon and continued until the Epiphany on January 6. But contrary to popular belief, the Christmas season actually continues right through to Candlemas on February 2 so there's no real reason why you should take your decorations down earlier.

"The tradition that it is bad luck to keep decorations up after Twelfth Night and the Epiphany is a modern invention, although it may derive from the medieval notion that decorations left up after Candlemas eve would become possessed by goblins.

"I’m of the opinion that, after the year we’ve all had, we certainly deserve to keep the Christmas cheer going a little longer.”

What do you think? Take our poll here...

A selection of English Heritage sites remain open for local residents. To find your nearest visit english-heritage.org.uk.