Trafford Council has confirmed it will remove Union flags that appeared on lampposts either side of a major road in Altrincham last weekend.
The flags are believed to have been mounted during the early hours of Saturday, 8th November, along both sides of Woodlands Road and the flyover section down to Stockport Road.
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said the flags would be removed due to health and safety concerns, despite the council's respect for national flags.
"We are proud to honour our Union Flag and the flag of St George, and we display both at our town hall as a symbol of our national heritage," the spokesperson said.
"We understand that some people in the community want to use flags to express their national pride but it is important to make sure this does not affect public safety. Attaching flags to public property such as lampposts is illegal and unsafe.
"We plan to remove flags promptly as they cause a health and safety risk, subject to staff safety and resources.
"We want residents to celebrate their national pride within the law and with their safety, and the safety of others, in mind."
The appearance of the flags in Altrincham is part of a wider national trend that has emerged this year.
According to a recent report in The Observer, local councils across England have spent at least £70,000 removing unauthorised flags following a summer campaign dubbed "Operation Raise the Colours".
Medway council in Kent reportedly spent nearly £11,600 taking down 727 flags, while Yorkshire councils spent more than £30,000 on similar removals.
The true cost of flag removal could be significantly higher, as many councils have incorporated the expenses into existing budgets rather than recording them separately.
