A FURIOUS football fan who feared he would be evicted for flying an England flag from the window of his eighth-floor flat has blasted the council for being "unpatriotic".

But council officials have insisted they were only trying to ensure the high-rise flag was safe and not posing a danger to anyone else.

Stephen Holt, 36, hung the traditional red and white flag of St George from his window at the beginning of the World Cup and intends to take it down when England are knocked out.

But he claims housing officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council sent him a letter telling him to remove it immediately or be evicted from his home at St Michael's Court, Daisyfield, Blackburn.

"I'm not a bad tenant and as far as I'm concerned it is not causing any harm. Nobody has complained to me, the council are just being unpatriotic and small-minded."

A spokeswman for the council said: "We were slightly concerned about the safety of the flag because it was loose but we've no objections to anybody displaying support for the national team. He can keep the flag but we will be making sure it is safe."

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