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Patriotic: Janet and Tom Smith, who decorated their home in support for England in the World Cup

An east London council have banned drivers of their vehicles from proudly flying the flag of St George during the World Cup because they are too dangerous.

That means that despite retailers predicting sales of around 40 million flags this year - almost one for every inhabitant of the country - many Redbridge Council workers will not be allowed to join in the fun.

Miniature flags and larger banners inside lorries are to be seen the length and breadth of England, as the country gets behind the football team in their bid to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966.

But the council says that if the flags were to fall off or obstruct a driver's vision, the results could be calamitous.

A spokesman said: "We have stuck to our position that on safety grounds, flags and banners are not allowed to be used on council vehicles."

But the Department for Transport said this week that as long as people were sensible, flags on vehicles were not a problem.

A spokesman said: "We would not tell people not to display the flags. As long as the flags are safely attached there is no problem at all."

Earlier the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, said he would be flying the national flag outside Downing Street on the days of England matches.

Martin Summers with his St George's flag special (Picture: MARTIN JORDAN)

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell has flags on her Government car and Conservative Party leader David Cameron has flags in the window of his house and on his bicycle.

In Borehamwood, north London, fireman Tom Smith of Furzehill Road is one of hundreds of residents who have decorated their homes with England flags and bunting.

In Greenwich, south-east London, tree surgeon Martin Summers has painted his car as one huge St George's flag. The 37-year-old and a friend headed for Germany on Friday in the old Peugot 306.

"My car has caused lots of remarks from people, with people hooting and laughing at me," he said.

However, staff at Tesco was initially told not to display the flags in their vehicles for fear of causing offence to other nationalities.

There have also been reports of schoolchildren being banned from taking flags to class. In West Yorkshire, prison staff at Wakefield Jail were told not to wear St George's Cross tie-pins as the flag is "associated with racism".

Now Redbridge Council has got in on the act. It has decided that although many employees are allowed to wear football shirts in aid of charity next Thursday when England play the second of their group games against Trinidad and Tobago, it will still not allow flags to be flown from its vehicles.

Kamran Asad, Controller at Arcade Mini Cabs in Mulberry Way, South Woodford, was amazed by the council's decision.

He said: "The flag of St George is one of the national images so of course we are allowing our drivers to fly it. We have no problem with it whatsoever. Obviously if it is an extraordinary size we would say no because of safety, but there is no problem with small flags."

7:28am Monday 12th June 2006

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