‘RAISE the Colours’ activists have struck again in Wellington with dozens more Union flags hoisted on lampposts and even the white stripes of a pedestrian crossing turned into the cross of St George.

More flags appeared between Sunday evening (September 7) and Monday morning through the town centre.

And a pedestrian crossing in North Street, outside Wellington Police Station, saw red paint used to put crosses on the white spaces.

The white circle in the centre of a mini roundabout at the junction of Wellesley Park and South Street has also been painted with the St George cross.

Somerset Council has appealed for people not to use or deface public property without permission and said it would remove flags from lampposts as part of its regular maintenance work.

A spokesperson said: “We understand some residents may want to show a feeling of national pride and they are welcome to do so.

“However, people should not paint public property without permission.

“This is particularly important on areas around the public highway, where flags or paint could obscure markings and pose a safety risk to road users.

“Removal has to be paid for from the public purse.

“We would ask people not to put flags or paint symbols on public roads or roundabouts.

“Defacing road markings in any form is an offence under the Highways Act 1980.

“It can affect visibility, distract drivers, and increase the risk of accidents for both road users and pedestrians.”

Reaction on social media to the Wellington Weekly’s report last week of the flags being raised has seen a sometimes bitter divide of opinion between those supporting the patriotism behind the movement and others who believe it is a cover for racist views.