Villagers 'in a predicament' over flying union jack

Plans to install a 6m flagpole at Claxton and Carleton St Peter Village Hall were approved last month

A council leader has questioned how residents "got into such a predicament" about flying the union jack in their village.

The row broke out in Claxton, Norfolk, after some locals said installing the "divisive" 6m flagpole outside the village hall would drive people away from the area.

The committee that runs the hall had hoped to raise the flag during major holidays.

Kay Mason Billig, the Conservative leader of Norfolk County Council, said she was "surprised at the strength of feeling" about the flag.

Ms Mason Billig said she was proud to fly the union jack at her home.

"I'm not sure I understand why Claxton have got into such a predicament," she added.

One villager said the union jack had "certain connotations"

Permission for the flagpole at Claxton and Carleton St Peter Village Hall was granted by the parish council last month.

But draft minutes from the council's latest meeting state that one parishioner urged councillors to consider the "fine line between patriotism and nationalism", and to use bunting instead.

'Certain connotations'

Glynnis White, who lives near the village hall, said she wanted to "know more about people's motivations" for flying the flag.

"The flag is often used as a symbol against immigration and it would worry me if it was being used in the wrong way," she told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Fellow resident John Garcia added that the flag had "certain connotations".

However, Nancy Harrison, who moved to the village, which has a population of about 300, two years ago, said: "Why should we be ashamed of our flag?

"If it puts people off from moving here then they shouldn't."

Ben Goldsborough MP said villagers should be left to resolve the issue themselves

Ben Goldsborough, the newly-elected Labour MP for South Norfolk, said he had been contacted by a villager opposed to the flag who had urged him to intervene.

But he declined to either back or oppose the move and said the villagers should resolve the issue themselves.

"The most important thing is making sure that all residents feel listened to," he said.

The flag is expected to be flown in the coming weeks.