PARKER STREET FLAGPOLE VANDALISED

The flagpole at Parker Street corner has been vandalised during the night and the England flag stolen. The pole was erected in 2012 to brighten up the garden area as a permanent display of pride for both the national flag and the Lancashire flag in six-monthly rotation.

Cllr Ken Moss said, "We installed the flagpole at a cost of several hundred pounds in order that people had something to be proud of when they drove over the bridge and this is the result. I can hazard a guess as to why it has been done at this particular time but with HBC facing £2.3m of cuts this year it is unlikely to be replaced. As ever, if anyone does have any information then please come forward."