THE mother of a Padiham soldier is a step closer to winning her battle to have the Union Jack flown above the Town Hall in support of servicemen in Iraq.

Marion Smith, 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, who fought in the Gulf War.

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

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

Marion was backed by James' family, husband Eddy and youngest son Bradley.

On hearing the news Marion, 52, of Collinge Street said: "I am really pleased. I will write to James to tell him the news and will be keeping my fingers crossed that they get permission to fly the flag."

Padiham town clerk Elizabeth Bolton said: "It was the unanimous decision of the council and members of the public gallery that we write to Burnley and request that the flag be flown at the Town Hall."

Burnley Borough Council said it has contacted the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the department that issues the guidelines for the flying of the Union Jack over public buildings, for further guidance and is expecting a reply this week.