Mayor's flag banned on safety grounds

The mayor of Maidstone has been banned from flying the town's flag on her official car because it might fall off.

The decision has been taken on health and safety grounds amid fears that the crest – no more than eight inches high and five across – could pose a danger to other road users.

Neil Harris, Maidstone Council's "democratic services manager" said there was a danger that the flag could be unstable especially if the chauffeur-driven Lexus went too fast.

However officials at the town hall admitted they could think of no occasion when a flag has been detached from the car.