EU flag dispute

Planning officers told Dave Edwards, who runs the Rose and Crown in Montague Street, he had to pay 220 if he wanted to fly the flag outside his pub '” or face legal action.

Mr Edwards, 57, who has run the pub for 14 years, said it was "like something out of the TV comedy Little Britain".

He said: "I have no intention of taking it down unless there is a justified case for it," before labelling the council the "thought police".

"It's absolutely ridiculous. I have been told if I don't take it down they will decide whether to take action against me."

The council reacted to the 12-star blue and gold emblem after it received a complaint from pensioner John Strange.

Mr Edwards added: "What annoys me most is that one person out of 100,000 wrote a letter which sounds like an Alf Garnett script and the council reacts to it. It is a case of the tail wagging the dog. Any business that people complain about will pay the price. The council always overreacts when someone makes a complaint."

In his note Mr Strange, 68, of Gorse Avenue, Worthing, said: "The EU flag is the flag of a totalitarian foreign power which, with the help of quislings in Westminster, intends to take over our country.

"More than a million of our people fought and died in two world wars in order that we might enjoy the freedom to live in our own land in accordance with our own laws.

"I trust that the next time I pass along Montague Street I shall not be offended by the sight of this foul emblem flying in front of your pub."

James Appleton, assistant director planning services at the council, said: "I want to make it clear that we are duty bound to investigate any complaint. Under regulations, any national flag on a vertical pole is allowed.

"But clearly the pub needs to apply to the council for advertising consent with a fee of 220 because it is not a national flag nor is the pole vertical."

Mr Edwards, who is a former Master at Arms in the Royal Navy, has flown the St George's Cross flag, the Union flag and the Thai national flag outside his pub for up to five years.

He said: "I put the flag up to welcome our European guests. It wasn't meant as a political message and how anyone can be offended by it I just don't know."