A SOLDIER'S mother who is battling to have the Union flag raised at her local town hall has presented a petition to Burnley Council.

Marion Smith, of Collinge Street, Padiham, first asked for the Union Jack to be flown over Padiham Town Hall during the Gulf War in 1991 to show support for British troops in Iraq.

Her eldest son Jason Smith, 31, from Padiham, fought in the conflict but even though she resorted to writing to the Queen, the flag was never flown in Padiham or Burnley.

She made the request again when her son James, 29, from Worsthorne, went to serve with the Royal Engineer Corps in Iraq.

And after taking to the streets armed with her pen and paper she gathered more than 700 signatures in just three days.

She handed the petition to councillors at Burnley Town Hall yesterday morning when the council issued a statement acknowledging the document.

Marion, 52, who is being backed by her other son, Brad, from Hapton, said: "People I have spoken to about this are disgusted that the flag is not being flown. Not one person I asked to sign the petition refused, they are all in full support of the flag being flown.

"It seems like Burnley and Padiham councils do not care about their soldiers who are out in Iraq risking their lives."

A spokesman for Burnley Borough Council confirmed that the flag has never been flown during times of conflict, but said the matter would be re-addressed after the petition was handed in.

The spokesman continued: "We have received a petition with around 760 signatures, calling for the Union Flag to be flown at Padiham and Burnley Town Halls in support of our troops in Iraq and this will be presented to the next meeting of the Executive for consideration.

"The council's usual custom on these matters is to follow the advice of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in relation to Government buildings. However, in response to representations from members of the public, the Leader of the Council felt it was appropriate that this issue should be discussed by the Executive at its meeting on Tuesday April 22 to consider whether there should be any change to the council's current policy."

Marion added: "I am glad that it is being discussed at the meeting but it has come too late., The soldiers will be home by the time these stupid councils get their acts together. A decision needs to be made now, not next week."