Council orders staff to take down World Cup flags

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

Around 200 City of York Council vehicles will be included in the rule, although some merchandise on the inside of cars will still be allowed.

There are currently no policies regarding the flags on vehicles and also no legal concerns as long as the driver can still see through the window screen, side windows and rear windows.

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

She said: "City of York Council is 100% behind the England team and looking forward to the first match on Saturday.

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