Councils have spent £60k tearing down flags across the nation

LOCAL authorities have spent more than £60,000 taking down flags across Britain this year, figures have revealed.

- BY JACK FIFIELD

The wave of removals follows a surge of patriotism under the Operation Raise the Colours campaign, which has led to locals flying Union flags and St George's crosses across towns and villages.

The group advocates the displaying of flags in public places but critics have accused the people behind the movement of being associated with the Far-right.

Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance warned that councils faced a “behind-the-scenes financial crisis" due to the removals.