A SOLDIER'S mother is battling to have the Union flag raised over her local town hall to show support for British troops in Iraq.

Marion Smith, of Collinge Street, first asked for the Union Jack to be flown over Padiham Town Hall during the Gulf War in 1991. Her eldest son Jason Smith, 31, fought in the conflict and she wanted the town to show its support.

But even though she resorted to writing to the Queen, the flag was never flown in Padiham or Burnley.

Now she is fighting to have the flag flown in honour of the servicemen and women in Iraq and her youngest son, 29-year-old James, who is fighting with the Royal Engineers.

And victory could be in sight after Padiham Town Council agreed to discuss the matter on Monday.

Marion, 52, said: "My son Jason served in the Gulf War in 1991. I was told then that the flag could only be flown for certain occasions like the Queen's birthday.

"There is no-one doing anything for our boys. It makes me feel like my son is out in Iraq risking his life for nothing.

"I know that a lot of people think that soldiers are paid to go to war. I wish he wasn't out there but I do think Saddam Hussein needs to be stopped.

"All councils should be getting behind our boys. I wouldn't mind if the flag was tattered and torn -- I would be happy to buy a new one. I would love to be able to write to him and say 'they are flying the flag for you son'.

"People can get their flags out to support the national football team, but not for our soldiers. It seems ridiculous to me."

A reply from Buckingham Palace on behalf of the Queen in 1991 said: "There are no restrictions on the circumstances and numbers of occasions on which union flags can be flown from civic buildings but it is for local authorities to use their discretion and to take into account public opinion.

"Since your son is serving in the Gulf, Her Majesty can appreciate your anxiety."

Today, Mayor of Padiham Granville Lord said: "We can request it but there is a protocol to follow.

"If the council take a decision to fly the flag then I will support it."

Padiham Council clerk Elizabeth Bolton said: "There is a meeting of Padiham Council on Monday.

"I will ask the councillors for their views and if the general feeling is that the flag should be flown I will approach Burnley Council and ask them if they are prepared to do it.

"I know there is a lot of support for our forces in Padiham and if Mrs Smith would like to speak to me personally she is more than welcome."

A spokesman for Burnley Borough Council confirmed that the flag has never been flown during times of conflict, but added that people had phoned to ask why the flag was not raised.

The spokesman continued: "There are standard occasions when the flag has to be flown.

"The Department of Culture, Media and Sport give us directions on when it should be flown. We have had a couple of people phoning to ask us why the flag but no formal approach and no directives from government."

Another spokesman added: "The flying of the Union Jack on public buildings is determined by guidelines circulated by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport on behalf of Her Majesty's Command.

"In relation to the current conflict in Iraq we have requested further guidance from the Department and we will review the situation early next week."