THE Union Jack will not fly outside Burnley or Padiham town hall, despite the heartfelt pleas of a mother whose son is fighting in Iraq.

Burnley Council has told Marion Smith, of Collinge Street, Padiham, that it has taken a decision not to hoist the national flag in support of British soldiers based on government guidelines.

The authority made its decision despite every Padiham councillor voting in favour of the move at a meeting this week.

Padiham Council also sent a letter to Burnley Council asking for permission for the flag to be flown.

Burnley's deputy council leader Andrew Tatchell called for the issue to be looked at again.

He said: "There are people who feel strongly about this and if people feel strongly about it, this is something we are going to have to sort out."

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "When considering whether to fly the Union Flag on public buildings, the council takes into account guidelines circulated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on behalf of Her Majesty's command.

"The council understands that in accordance with those guidelines, no government buildings will be flying the flag in connection with the war in Iraq. After careful consideration, the council has decided to adopt the same approach and therefore the Union Flag is not being flown over Burnley and Padiham Town Halls."

But a representative of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said it had not issued specific guidelines in connection with the Iraqi conflict.

A spokesman said: "I am not aware of any guidelines being issued for the flag being flown during the Iraqi War.

"There has been no ruling from us. It is up to Burnley Council to make a decision."

Over at Manchester, the city council is flying the Union Jack at full mast and said it would continue to do so until the end of the conflict.

Mrs Smith, 52, said: "I was shaking when I heard the decision. It can't be good for the morale of our troops.

"People from Burnley and Padiham should show contempt for the councils and hang their own flags out.

"I honestly don't know what to do next. I'm considering a petition, but we are running out of time. The war is going to be over before anything gets done.

"I just feel very let down, not just for myself, but for everyone out there."

It is the second time she has lost her fight to have the flag raised. In 1991, despite receiving a letter of support from Buckingham Palace, she was told the flag would not be flown for her oldest son Jason, who fought in the Gulf War.

James's wife Suzanne and her sister Liz Thompson, whose husband is also serving with the Royal Engineer Corps in Iraq, are backing Marion's protest.

Liz, 28, said: "I was angry when I heard. To look at this place you wouldn't even know there was a war on.

"Nobody wanted this war, but we have got to give our forces as much support as possible."

The Smith family gathered outside Burnley Town Hall yesterday in protest and were met by drivers who sounded their horns in support. One Padiham pensioner agreed that the flag should be flown.

Anne Brooks, 81, of Park View, said: "I don't agree with the war, but people should be supporting it." Marion and supporters demonstrated outside Burnley's Town Hall last night.