A GIANT England supporters' flag has been reunited with its Teesside owners after a rehoming campaign.

The flag, with a Middlesbrough crest and ‘Yarm-on-Tees’ across the middle, was found after England played at Wembley Stadium during the Euros in July earlier this year.

The flag was sent to Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen by a London-based property developer, who found it in London following the game.

And now owners of the flag Andrew and Joanne Ward, Paul and Jo Fox and Noel Robinson have been reunited with their prized possession.

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The group expressed their shock and delight that the flag had been found, explaining that it had been taken down without their knowledge during the game.

The flag has accompanied the devoted England supporters to countless games, and despite a long search they left the stadium believing that the flag would never be seen again.

But Mayor Houchen reunited the flag with the group, presenting it to Andrew and Joanne at Riverside Stadium.

Made by the owners in 2004 and hand-painted by their children, Andrew and Joanne said that the flag has accompanied them to England games across the globe, including to the Euros in Portugal in 2004, Germany in 2006 and to South Africa in 2010.

Joanne Ward, an NHS Ward Sister at North Tees Hospital, said: “This flag is our pride and joy and has travelled the world with my friends and I to countless England matches.

"I was completely blown away to see our flag on Ben’s Facebook page after believing it was gone forever after being taken at Wembley. We’re completely thrilled to have the flag back, and we’re all incredibly grateful to Ben."

Mayor Houchen added: “Teessiders are massive England supporters and there’s always a strong local contingent whenever and wherever they play. As soon as I saw the England supporters’ flag it was clear that it needed to be returned to its rightful owners.

"I’m thrilled that we’ve been able to return the flag to Andrew, Joanne and the rest of the owners.

"It’s great to have such a brilliant supporters group from Teesside cheering on England right across the world, so we can look forward to it being displayed proudly at many games to come.”

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