Shrewsbury is set to fly the flag in style next summer as part of patriotic celebrations to mark the arrival of the Olympic torch and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The town centre will be decked out with dozens of Union Jack flags and red, white and blue bunting in a bid to create a carnival atmosphere on the streets if plans by Shrewsbury Town Council become reality.

The Olympic torch will travel through the town on May 30 and celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the Queen’s coronation will run over an extended weekend from June 2 to 5.

And organisers are keen to celebrate both events in large numbers. The idea was suggested at a town council meeting by leader Peter Nutting, who said the proximity of the two events offered an ideal opportunity.

He said the authority could offer support to any organisations planning to put on events to mark the arrival of the Olympic flame.

“About the same time of year is the jubilee, so we might want to think if we could do something for both,” he said. “For example, there could be Union Jack flags to cover the period for both.”

The idea was backed by councillor Jackie Brennand, who is chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom. She said flags could be put up in town in the spaces occupied by the miniature Christmas trees that are dotted around Shrewsbury, an idea she said had already been discussed by the Bloom committee.

Councillor Nutting said the town council should tell organisations wanting to organise Olympic torch events that there is a possibility of funding through the authority’s general grants fund. He said: “We aren’t throwing money around. But there is some money for things if schools want to do bunting.”

The Olympic torch is due to stop off in Shrewsbury next year.

On May 24, it will pass through Ludlow, Clee Hill and Cleobury Mortimer. It will return to the county on May 30 when it will pass through Oswestry, Pant and Llanymynech before reaching Shrewsbury.

The torch will then continue on to Cressage, Much Wenlock, Benthall, Broseley, Ironbridge, Telford Town Centre and Newport.