CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating today after winning the battle to get the Union flag flown above their local town halls.

Burnley Council said last week it would not fly the flag in Burnley or Padiham in support of British soldiers, after requests from Marion Smith, whose son is fighting in Iraq. But they have now announced a change of heart and said the flags will fly after all.

The council performed their U-turn after leader Stuart Caddy stepped in to try to defuse the row. Now, the campaigners have said the flag should be flown above every town hall in East Lancashire as a show of support for our armed forces in the Gulf.

Marion, whose son James, 29, is serving with the Royal Engineer Corps in Iraq, first asked for the flag to be flown in 1991 for her oldest son, Jason, 31, who fought in the Gulf War.

Despite Marion, of Collinge Street, Padiham, writing a letter to the Queen, the national flag has never been flown during times of conflict at either Burnley of Padiham Town Halls.

Padiham councillors last week voted unanimously to write to Burnley Borough Council for permission to fly the flag.

Marion was backed by James' family, her husband, Eddy and youngest son Bradley, of Hapton, as well as neighbours Peter and Susan Kelf. Today, Marion said: "I am absolutely delighted the council have decided to fly the flag after all in support of our boys and it's a big thank-you to the Evening Telegraph for highlighting our case.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped me to achieve this for the people of Padiham and Burnley. I just hope the council keeps the flags up until all our lads are back home safe.

"I'd like to see all town halls across the region follow suit now, as there must be soldiers serving from every town in East Lancashire."

Coun Caddy said: "Flying the union flag has been an issue that I have been considering for some time, along with the suggestion that we should have our own borough flag.

"In agreeing to this, I have taken into account the public expression calling for the flag to be flown in support of our troops in Iraq and as a reflection of the borough's civic pride."

The flags were both flying today.

Mr Caddy also asked officers to look into the possibility of commissioning a borough flag.

Borough councils across East Lancashire reported a range of fly-flying policies today.

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.

Pendle only flies the Union flag on 'official occasions,' as does Ribble Valley.

Nobody from Rossendale and Hyndburn councils was available to comment.