Tomorrow hundreds of women are expected to take matters into their own hands and make the most of the Leap Year tradition by proposing to their men tomorrow.

The long-held tradition that women can propose to their boyfriends on February 29 each Leap Year dates back to the fifth century – and a nationwide online survey released today by 3 shows that females across the UK are planning to uphold it by popping the question in their thousands.

Also high street jewellery retailer Argos has revealed that sales of wedding rings have risen by nearly a third (32 per cent) over the last week compared to last year and engagement rings are up by nearly a quarter (23 per cent).

Dawn Ritchie, Jewellery Buyer at Argos says “It is definitely now more usual for women to take the opportunity of a leap year to ask their man to marry them. Traditionally, the man presents the woman with an engagement ring, but when the proposal is reversed there are a variety of options. Women can give men a plain band wedding ring, a commitment ring or even an engagement ring for themselves.”

Two out of five single women (39.5%) say they are considering following tradition and asking their boyfriend to marry them – and a quarter (25.6%) admit they would do it via phone or text ‘to save embarrassment’.

But they could be in for a hard time getting hold of their men in order to pop the question, as the research by 3 also reveals:

  • Just under a quarter (23.1%) of men in relationships admit they fear receiving a proposal on Friday.

  • Despite this, if asked, three out of five (60%) would say Yes.

  • One in four (24%) admit they will go out of their way to avoid any women who might be thinking proposing.

  • Methods of staying out of reach from girlfriends for the 24-hour period include turning off mobiles and staying round mates’ houses for the night

John Penberthy-Smith, marketing director for 3, said: “Women proposing to men on February 29 has been with us for centuries, and it looks like the tradition will be continuing across the UK this Friday."

"In many ways it’s never been easier to get hold of your partner, thanks to mobile technology – but that doesn’t seem to mean it will be any easier for women to propose to men."

“Many single males are obviously scared of being asked the big question, and around a quarter even admit they will go so far as to turn off their mobiles. But I somehow doubt that will put Britain’s women off from getting the result they’re after.”