Shrewsbury's Britain in Bloom award flag stolen

The flag, which was given to the town after winning the title in the Royal Horticultural Society competition, was taken from the flagpole in The Quarry over the weekend.

Helen Ball, clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "It was sometime over the weekend that it disappeared.

"It usually flies on the top of the mast but when staff arrived at work they noticed it had gone.

"It is something that recognises our horticultural excellence and we should be proud to fly it.

"But it seems that some individual decided to take it as a prize."

The flag was given to Shrewsbury by the Royal Horticultural Society to mark the town's achievement in the 2014 Britain in Bloom Awards and has been flown in the Quarry since October last year.

Ms Ball said: "It is one of those things that is unique to the Champion of Champions – there is only one in the country.

"So it is not like they will be able to fly it as it is very recognisable.

"It just seems rather sad that people think that it is a fun thing to do."

She added: "We cannot just replace the flag as it is a one-off and we would urge whoever took it to return it so that it can be put back in its rightful home."

West Mercia Police's safer neighbourhood team for Shrewsbury appealed for information about the theft through Twitter.

It said: "Someone has taken the Britain in Bloom flag from the flagpole in The Quarry this weekend. Lots of people worked hard for that award.

"If you know anything ring 101 and ask for extension 5790. If it was a 'prank' then return it confidentially."