THE reason why England has survived as a nation, resisted foreign invasion and avoided revolution ever since the Norman Conquest in 1066 is because, despite regional, religious, class and social differences, its people have remained united under one flag.

Now there are growing signs that this is no longer the case and that England is starting to fragment.

When people in high places are saying that the flying of the English flag is offensive, then things really have reached crisis point.

Yet national unity is imperative when, as a result of political devolution and growing nationalisation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the British state, like the British Empire of 50 years ago, is clearly starting to disintegrate.

JOHN PORTER, Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.