WOMEN from the British Legion have been forced to lay down their standard - because they are too old to carry the flag.

For years, members of the Middleton-in-Teesdale branch have proudly paraded with the flag on Remembrance Day.

But this year they have been hit by a double setback.

First they discovered that for some time they have been using the wrong standard.

The branch, which is a women's section, has been using the standard belonging to the village's men's section, which closed many years ago.

And health and safety regulations now dictate that British Legion standard bearers all have to undergo training and cannot be over 60.

Christine Mason, a former secretary of Middleton British Legion, said: "It's a shame, but those are the rules - it's nice to have the flag there, but rules are rules.

"We only have one member under 60 and she works full-time and isn't able to do it."

Since its members are too old to train as standard bearers and the group cannot afford to purchase a standard with women's section written on it, the wreath-laying ceremony on Sunday at Middleton-in-Teesdale is going ahead without a British Legion flag.

Middleton British Legion members found out they were using the wrong flag when they inquired at the county headquarters about the possibility of getting the standard cleaned.

When the men's branch closed, the standard was laid up in St Mary's Church.

British Legion rules state that once a standard is laid up in church it can not be used or paraded.

A women's section is also unable to use a men's section standard.

Mrs Mason said: "When it came to light we were breaking the rules we had to stop.

"We would have to buy a flag with the women's section name on it and bearing in mind we're a charity they can be expensive. However, the British Legion will be laying a wreath on Sunday."

Jeremy Lillies, head of public affairs at the British Legion, said the standard bearer age limit was brought in because it could be quite a demanding job.

He said: "I've never heard of this particular set of circumstances before, but it is correct.

"It's sensible there should be an age limit and training in order to ensure the safety of the individual.

"They do become very dedicated and, given the chance, go on to the point where it becomes unsafe."

He added that the men and women's section of the British Legion were two different entities and it was correct that the men's flag could not be used by the women's section.