A DECISION to fly the St George's Flag over Nelson Town Hall has been welcomed by community leaders.

Supporters of the move claim it will increase civic pride.

The decision follows calls from Nelson townsfolk for Nelson Town Hall to follow Colne Town Hall's lead.

The flag has been flown over Colne Town Hall for several years and is replaced by the Union Jack on special days, as dictated by national guidance.

A decision has been taken that the English national flag will now be flown at Nelson Town Hall and will be replaced -- as in Colne -- by the Union Flag on these special days.

Pendle Mayor Coun Mohammed Iqbal welcomed the decision. He said: "I believe that this is a fine way of demonstrating our national and civic pride.

"There is a long-standing national protocol which lays down the special days the Union Flag can be flown from public buildings and, like other councils, we have always followed this. However, this means the flag is only in place for a handful of days in the year. It is not really possible to fly it permanently because that would mean the special occasions would not be recognised.

" I believe that the St George's flag -- the English national flag ---would be an appropriate alternative. I am sure the local community will welcome the sight of the flag on the top of the Town Hall in Nelson in future."

Barrowford councillor Shelagh Derwent added: "I support the move. I am one of the people who celebrate St George's Day every year and I don't think there's anything wrong with being proud to be English."

Last month, campaigners won a battle to get the Union flag flown above their local town halls in Burnley and Padiham.

Marion Smith, of Collinge Street, Padiham, whose son is fighting in Iraq, requested the flags be flown in support of British soldiers.

Blackburn with Darwen Council flies the Union flag outside its town halls all year, except on St George's Day, when it is swapped for the English flag of St George.