A CAMPAIGN to fly the flag for St George's Day has paid off the Fylde, as local businesses and the borough council came together to mark England's national day.

A new St George's Cross was raised above the town hall in St Annes last Friday after a donation from a local firm.

The gift came after calls from local campaigners who wanted the day to be given the prominence received by St Patrick's Day in Ireland or St David's Day in Wales. The impressive new St George's Cross was chauffeured to the Town Hall on Friday morning by Patrick Shaw from Fylde Executive Cars, the local firm which is sponsoring the flag.

In a dawn ceremony, the Mayor of Fylde, Councillor John Longstaff, received and dutifully raised the flag into position over the skyline of St Annes promenade.

He said: "I am delighted to be able to raise a new flag on behalf of Fylde and it's particularly fitting to receive it on this special day, when we should all be celebrating the life of St George."

Patrick Shaw, Chauffeur for Fylde Executive Cars, added: "We thought it would be a nice idea to buy a new flag for the Town Hall mast after reading about a local campaign from Dean Williamson, who wants to see more St George's flags introduced in Fylde.

"We supported his view that this would help restore pride in the area, and are delighted to be able to show our support on St George's Day with a new flag for Fylde.