BARNSLEY Council leader Sir Steve Houghton says residents are more than welcome to fly the English flag on their own property - but urged locals to not use lampposts and roundabouts or they will be removed.

People have been flying the St George’s flag up and down the country, with those responsible saying their actions are motivated by pride and patriotism.

But the red and white cross has been painted on roundabouts in Barnsley while flags have been placed on lampposts and motorway bridges - and Sir Steve says it can be dangerous and has asked residents to stop.

He told the Chronicle: “I’m proud to be British and proud to be English.

“I’m proud that as a council we fly the Union Flag above the town hall every day of the year.

“The only exception to that is St George’s Day when we fly the cross.

“Regardless of how much we might love our flags, criminal damage and graffiti are not acceptable in any circumstances.

“Painting flags on the highway or hanging them from highway structures is also dangerous, not just to the people doing it, but also for others passing by while they’re doing it.

“It then presents an ongoing health and safety risk to motorists and pedestrians.

“If people want to fly flags on their own property, that’s absolutely fine and up to them, but the use of the road network, council lampposts or other public property is not acceptable and these will be removed.”