THE English flag is being flown on the sides of cars, lorries, vans and even tractors and bin wagons and is draping down in front of shops.

Some buildings have even been painted with the famous cross in the run-up to football's European Championships.

But why has a nation renowned for hiding its emotions suddenly become so patriotic? DAVID HIGGERSON reports.

WITH Euro 2004 just a week away from kick off, flags of St George are now on sale everywhere.

From the market to the petrol station, the supermarket to the corner shop - everyone seems to be selling something with the famous cross on it.

But is it just for Euro 2004, or does it signify the start of something greater for campaigners wanting a proper day of celebrations for St George or a reflection of the D-Day 60th anniversary celebrations?

A spokesman for the St George's Day Campaign said: "The things we are seeing now show the value of a proper St George's Day holiday.

"We won the Rugby World Cup and people now think we can win Euro 2004. There is a real momentum going which we hope Government will look at and see, and act upon. People are proud to be English."

Steve Bentham, landlord at The Crown pub in Whalley Road, Accrington, isn't sure.

His pub is now decked out with four giant flags while the garage next to the pub had been painted red and white.

Steve said: "I think it's just for the football, that's why we are doing it.

"It is something people are getting excited about, and there seems to be a lot more on offer to buy than before, so people can get behind the team."

For businesses in the area the desire to fly the flag has been huge.

James Holme, 21, assistant manager at all:sports in Blackburn shopping centre, said: "I think because we won the Rugby World Cup people think we can win the football too so they are getting more interested."

Andrew Hartley, manager of The Octagon card stall in Blackburn Market, said: "We sold out of flags and had to order some more from the warehouse. The cash and carry we get them from is limiting everyone to one box because its stocks are dwindling too.

"I think people are trying to get more patriotic and this is a good way of doing it."

Eileen Aspinall, a sales assistant at Clinton Cards, Blackburn, said: "I think people are getting more patriotic which is good because at one point people were being told to stop putting up England flags in case people took it the wrong way."

But it's not just the boys who are gearing up for England's part in Euro 2004, many women's clothes shops are also selling England merchandise.

Fouzia Shah, a sales assistant at New Look in Blackburn, said: "Girls are getting into football as much as boys now and the T-shirts and England vests we are selling are going quite quickly."

Saima Khan, a sales assistant at Birthdays, Blackburn, said she understood why there was such hype.

She said: "We are selling banners, flags and even England paper plates and cups so people can have football parties. I think people are getting excited about the football because they think England are going to win."

Ellis Cashmore, head of culture, media and sport at Staffordshire University, said: "Obviously the recent display of flags is linked to the championships with retailers seeing a window to make a lot of cash, but I take a more cynical approach.

"People are uneasy with the alliance between certain factions of football fans with far right groups, who believe England does not represent pride and dignity but that it is an island in need of protection from a perceived threat.

"This perception turns the flag into a symbol of defiance. When I see a cross of St George on a car I know the person is probably law abiding and liberal, but I think it always raises a doubt in your mind as to whether they are associated with a belligerent extremist group."

Accrington taxi driver Waqar Azim, however, believes that is nonsense. With his car decked with three England flags he said: "That's rubbish. It's about supporting England.

"I was born here and I don't find it offensive at all."