DARWEN Scout leaders today warned a 90-year-old tradition could be in jeopardy after thieves made off with a Union flag on St George's Day.

The future of the town's flag ceremony, which this year involved more than 450 Scouts and Guides, is uncertain following the theft.

It was taken as members of the procession marched proudly down George Street to a service held at St Peter's Church on Sunday, April 27, four days after St George's Day on April 24.

As the town's groups packed the church, the Union flag belonging to Bold Venture Scouts was stolen from outside the Church Street building.

Michael Grime, Bold Venture group leader and district scout leader, said: "It's just disgusting that something like this should happen.

"Next year we will have to have someone guarding the flag when we go into the church. There were seven or eight police officers with us but they can't be expected to guard a flag. They are more concerned with the safety of the people in the parade.

"It could be that we don't carry out that part of the flag ceremony again, and that's a shame because it's been going on for more than 90 years."

The Union flag, together with 39 other flags representing the different associations taking part in the parade, is lowered from the pole to the tune of bugles in the presence of the mayor and parade participants.

Mr Grime said: "We couldn't do the ceremony this year and it was really sad. It's not the cost that's the problem, it's the sentimental value."