A surge of St George’s flags has gone up around Darlington in the last few weeks, leaving residents divided.
The national flag normally appears across the town giving backing to national sports teams in major tournaments, but weeks after the Lionesses' Euro 2025 victory new flags have gone up across the country.
And others have raised concerns the movement is sparking vandalism with a car, signs and buildings in Darlington being spray painted with the flag.
"You go toother countries and you'll see their flags because they're proud of their national heritage.”
But 57-year-old Ian, from Darlington, told the Echo: “I don’t like it. I don't think it's patriotic at all.
"I know immigration is bad and they need to do something about it, but I don't like it. It's the far right taking over.”
"With the amount of immigration happening, it feels like the government would rather help other people first, instead of our own country.”
Another Darlington resident shopping on High Row this week added: “The sentiment is right but they’re doing it the wrong way.
"The graffiti is just making it look a mess. If you’re going to do it, do it properly or get the council to put them up and do it nicely.
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"Don't do it on the floor. Why disrespect the flag like that?”
Retiree Alfred Miller, 76, from Darlington said: “It's the only flag that should be flown. I think people have had enough of the immigration when there's loads of families struggling here.
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