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Locals in a UK town have been issued a warning about lampposts adorned with flags. A councillor in Darlington has warned that homes could "go up in flames" because lampposts have been "compromised" after people climbed them to put up flags.

Jan Cossins, ward councillor for Cockerton, said worried locals had contacted her to tell her lampposts and street lights were "waving" in the wind after people climbed them to put flags up. It comes as people across the UK proudly flew their Union and St George's flags to mark St George's Day on Thursday last week.

Councillor Cossins told a Darlington Borough Council meeting: "I have had Cockerton residents phone me and say that the lampposts are waving.

"The lampposts have been compromised by people climbing on them when they shouldn't have been.

"After strong gusts of wind, one lady said it was waving into her house.

"All along Cockerton Green, those houses are very old and could just go up in flames because they have been compromised," reports The Northern Echo.

A council spokesperson said: "Climbing or attaching items to lamp posts can be dangerous, as they aren't designed to take the extra weight.

"If people wish to fly flags, this should be done on private property. Attaching flags to lamp posts or traffic signs brings safety risks and will create costs for taxpayers.

"We understand that people want to show their pride, celebrate special occasions or remember important events - but we also need to make sure this is done safely.

"Our main concern is everyone's safety. Flags or decorations may need to be removed if they create a hazard for road users or pedestrians, block visibility, or are not securely fixed and could fall."