Group use cherry picker to erect over 40 UK flags on West Midlands lampposts along entire street

The defiant group has lined a half-mile stretch of West Boulevard, in Quinton, Birmingham, with huge flags from all four UK nations and The Republic of Ireland.  

They have been tied to 22 lampposts over the last couple of weeks as part of a flag-flying campaign dividing opinion across the nation.

Local activists Weoley Warriors claimed responsibility for the latest patriotic decorations, which had been labelled an 'act of national pride'.

The group were previously left fuming after Birmingham City Council ordered St George's flags to be ripped down in the Northfield area for 'safety reasons' -  while Palestine ones remained.

Funded by nearly £22,000 in donations, they are travelling the city with the "goal to show Birmingham and the rest of the country of how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements."

Resident Stephen Moore, 66, who was walking along the street today (Mon), said the 44 flags were a 'win for national pride and not racists'.

The dad-of-two, who is a retired academic paper editor, said: "It’s quite a sight. 

"There’s flags up all over the place now, people are hanging outside their houses too. 

“Most of them are put up by the same group of people in the area.

"I think it’s good, it's patriotic to see them all, I don't think it’s racist. I think it’s just national pride. 

"You see French flags all the time in France. Whenever Trump comes on the news he’s always got the USA flag with him. 

“I think the flags are a really good thing. I think it’s very patriotic of whoever is doing it. 

"The only negative thing is if the far right try to claim St George’s flag, they shouldn’t do that.

“St George’s flag is for everyone in Britain, not just the far right. It’s good that we’re made to feel patriotic. 

"It looks ok, it’s different. We’re coming up to winter anyway, so it’s nice to have a bit of colour.

“It was done recently because I jog around the road, it’s only something that’s happened in the last couple of weeks." 

Another passer-by Harry Bevan, 72, said: "I think the flags are a good idea as they are not offending anybody because its got all the flags of the British Isles.

"They have only just appeared and I think it's great."

Local resident Roger Thomson, 74, said: "I agree with the flags, I'm not Scottish but I'm wearing a Scotland football shirt today as they are playing later. 

"I used to go to Scotland on my holidays. I think its good to celebrate all areas of the UK so I really like the mix of flags."

However, another local, who wished to remain anonymous, disagreed and added: "We all know the hidden right wing agenda behind gestures like this. 

"It is not being done for the sake of being patriotic - it is being done by racists."

Others to social media to share their opinion, with one person writing: "This is not about colour, race, religion, culture. 

"It is about "identity" so all people can live in a community knowing people are safe."

Another said: "I see the flags as a statement to say we are all united, so may love and hate each other, yet these flags represent us all."

A third said: " I actually love driving this road with those flags up. Looks really good when there's wind blowing them."

Birmingham City Council has been approached for comment. 

What do you think of all the flags that keep springing up across the West Midlands?