FOOTBALL FANS will be able to hang out their England flags across Telford during the World Cup after housing chiefs today relented on a policy banning tenants from flying the Cross of St George.

The decision was announced after one furious supporter was told to take down the England flags he was flying outside his flat at Parkwood in Woodside.

Keith Harrison, 57, claimed he was told to remove the flags by the manager of the Wrekin Housing Trust sheltered accommodation complex because displaying them “could be seen as anti-social”.

“How can it be anti-social behaviour when all I’m doing is showing support for my country?” he said.

“I think they thought there could be racist undertones to flying the flag but that is just ridiculous”.

Support

Mr Harrison put the flags up to show his support for England’s cricket team, which is preparing to take on Bangladesh tomorrow, and the football team which will be competing in next month’s World Cup.

He hung one large flag and a smaller one on the shutters on the balcony of the building and smaller ones all around the railings, and refused to pull them down.

“I think it’s absurd that I can’t show support for my own team and country,” added Mr Harrison. “I will take my flags down when the Queen takes her flags down.”

The Wrekin Housing Trust has, in the wake of Mr Harrison’s protest, called an amnesty and allowed World Cup decorations to be put up at its properties.

Pamela Edwards, general manager for supported housing, said: “Under normal tenancy conditions flags are not allowed to be draped over the balconies at Parkwood.

“However, during the duration of the World Cup, an amnesty has been called allowing residents to decorate balconies with memorabilia of the country they support.”

David Rowe, chief executive of Shropshire Football Association, welcomed the decision. He said: “Let’s get behind England and have flags if we possibly can and be sensible about it.”

Mr Harrison today said he was happy with the decision adding: “At least someone has come to their senses.”

By Holly Evans