THE social media-driven campaign ‘Operation Raise the Colours’ has raised its profile in Wellington this week with dozens of flags appearing on lampposts from one end of the town to the other.

The campaign aims to encourage the flying of the St George’s Cross and the Union flag in a show of national pride and patriotism, as happens in other counties such as America.

But Left wing political groups have claimed the campaign is driven by protests against illegal immigration.

On Monday, two men in a pick-up truck were seen hoisting flags high on lampposts and using cable ties to secure them on the approach from Chelston through the town centre to Rockwell Green.

Many of Wellington’s Union flags were incorrectly raised upside down, which is a recognised international symbol of distress.

Somerset Council has said that it will only remove the flags if they become a hazard to motorists or pedestrians.

The issue was raised at Monday’s monthly meeting of the town council, which was attended by about 40 people, where police Sgt Jon O’Connor said it was not a criminal offence to fly a flag.

Sgt O’Connor said police would, however, take strong action to deal with people if there were instances of verbal abuse or outright racism or any criminal damage.

He said he was aware of a particular incident in Wellington Basins where environmental volunteers were abused when flags were erected on metal poles in the middle of the larger of the two ponds.

Sgt O’Connor said officers had attended and had spoken with a man.

Town councillors were unable to agree any action on the issue because it was not part of the published agenda for the meeting.

However, council chief executive Dave Farrow said he would have a private discussion later with Sgt O’Connor to consider any implications for the town.