A LISTED building used as an assembly point during the Second World War failed to fly the Union Jack on Remembrance weekend, though flags from other countries were flying high.

The omission at St Mary’s Chambers, Rawtenstall, was noticed by a travelling businessman.

James Frodsham said: “I was amazed there wasn’t a Union Jack among the foreign flags fixed into the pillars of the chambers.

“There’s no excuse for it during a month which is dedicated to remembering those who died for this country.

“This can’t be put down to clumsiness, it’s simply distasteful.” James, from Manchester, challenged the manager of the chambers who explained that the property owner decided which flags were to be put up.

A spokesperson from owners B&E Boys Ltd, Rossendale, said: “We have a flag rota and I can assure you we meant no malice by not flying the Union Jack.

“Three of our other properties had the flag flying over the weekend.

“We understand why this is sensitive at this time of remembrance but we can assure people there is no specific agenda behind this at all.”

The other flags on display over the weekend included the American, French and Canadian.

St Mary’s Chambers, meeting place for Rossendale Senior Citizens Association, does show the Union Jack on the front page of the B&E Boys website.

Mr Frodsham added: “B&E Boys is not solely to blame here.

“The managerial staff at the chambers should have used some initiative and shown a bit of respect for the occasion.”