A tatty Union flag has got patriotic councillor Keith Mitchell seeing red.

The flag, which is held together with sticky tape, was flying above County Hall during the summer, claims Mr Mitchell.

It has now been replaced by a newer flag, but irate Mr Mitchell fears it will be up again as a symbol of Oxfordshire's national allegiance next year.

He said: "It is coming apart in pieces and is in a terrible state. I am not sure whether they plan to use it again next year but it was certainly up last summer.

"It is a shame we do not take more pride in our symbols of Government. I would like to see the Union Jack respected and more widely used."

Mr Mitchell has put a motion before the full council, which meets on Tuesday, calling for the flag to be replaced. He has even suggested councillors chip in 50p each to buy a new £40 flag. County council spokesman Nicky Kirkwood said there will never be any chance of the flag being seen above County Hall again.

She said: "We are not sure whether this was the flag that was flying above County Hall during the summer.

"The council uses up to two Union Jack flags each year and replaces them every four to seven months depending on how worn they become.

"There is no question that a flag in that condition will ever be flown again. They all have a clear shelf life."

Mr Mitchell also wants the council to fly an Oxfordshire coat of arms flag beside the Union flag, rather than a European Union flag.

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