These are all the flags Reform in Lancashire have decided can be flown over County Hall

Seven different flags will be permitted to be flown above Lancashire County Council's headquarters after the authority's cabinet agreed a new policy that members said was designed to encourage a collective pride in country and county.

- by Paul Faulkner

The Union Flag, the Flag of England (the St. George's cross), the Lancashire Flag, the Lancashire County Council Flag, the Armed Forces Flag, the Commonwealth Flag and the Merchant Navy Flag all made the cut of those that can now be raised over County Hall in Preston.

It follows a review by the county council's Reform UK administration, which has seen the number of flags eligible to adorn the building reduced.

Those on the newly streamlined list are the only flags that will be routinely held by the authority from now on - although others could be ordered to be flown if jointly agreed by the leader and chief executive.

Under the previous flag-flying policy, the Pride Flag was flown on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia on May 17.

The White Ribbon Flag - promoting domestic violence awareness - and the flags of the NHS and emergency services had also been hoisted on relevant days in recent years, as had the Ukrainian flag.