Council chiefs defend ban on flags flying from vehicles

Staff at City of York Council have been prevented from having flags, stickers and banners on the outside of their cars because of safety concerns and litter problems.

About 200 City of York Council vehicles will be covered by the regulation, although some merchandise on the inside of cars will still be allowed.

The council currently has no policies or legal concerns regarding flying the flags on vehicles as long as drivers can still see through the window screens, side windows and rear windows.

Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council, described the policy as "normal practice" and adding that it was not specific to the World Cup.

"City of York Council is 100 per cent behind the England team and looking forward to the first match on Saturday," she said.

"There is absolutely no problem with staff displaying their support, such as flags and other items inside their vehicles, wall posters of fixtures in offices and employee sweepstakes.

"We have just asked that the materials are not attached to the outside of vehicles," she added.

"This is normal practice and is the advice that would be given whatever the occasion celebrated."