An English grandmother said she was reduced to tears by local council officials who took down St. George flags she put on lampposts outside her home to support England's soccer team in the World Cup, Sky News reported Wednesday.
Doreen Carnelley, 74, from Clifton, central England, found the set of 27 flags dumped in her hedge after they were removed because she had not sought prior permission and there were "health and safety implications."
Now a U.K. government minister said councils should not be over-zealous in applying "petty rules" when it comes to flying the flag for England.
But Nottingham City Council stands by its decision to take the flags down.
A spokesman said it was illegal to attach anything to lampposts without prior permission and there were also "health and safety implications."
However, the authority later said, "We are sorry we have upset Mrs. Carnelley."
Carnelley said she draped flags on lampposts during previous soccer World Cup tournaments and European Championships without any problems.
"I felt terrible. I was upset. It has hurt me so much. They said they had complaints and cut them down," she told local newspaper the Nottingham Evening Post.
Local Government Minister Grant Shapps commented: "Ahead of the World Cup, communities across England will want to wave the flag of St. George with pride.
"The World Cup is a great opportunity for local communities of all backgrounds to pull together."
