Patriotic Ann Eyley saw red on St George's day when she spotted a German flag fluttering from a town centre flagpole - rather than the English cross.

Mrs Eyley, of Garston Lane, Wantage, was furious when she saw the offending flag displayed above Wantage Market Square - and she has condemned the town council for its lack of sensitivity.

"I had great difficulty containing my anger when I saw a German flag flying," she said. "I saw it and had steam coming out of my ears." Mrs Eyley, a receptionist at Wantage Sports Centre, added: "I was assured by someone who was shopping in the town that the flag was there because we had visiting Germans.

"That is fine and we can fly their flag if we must - but not on St George's day. I would have thought it would be offensive to anybody who fought in the war, or had family who fought."

Wantage Town Council clerk Athene Mitchell denied that the council had been unpatriotic. She said the Union Jack and St George's Cross were both flying in the town, but had been put at half-mast because of the funeral of popular policeman Pc Pete Butler on Friday.

She said the German flag had been flown during the afternoon as a show of courtesy to a delegation from See, Wantage's twin town.

Story date: Tuesday 27 April

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