BUDE-Stratton Town Council's decision not to raise the English flag on St George's Day was not the result of pressure from a Cornish group, it is understood — despite claiming it was a 'victory' for the county's identity.

KernowCalling is a newly established organisation, which states its purpose is to 'promote anything beneficial to Cornwall and to aid Cornwall's inevitable rise as a Celtic nation'.

In a statement released after Monday, April 23, the group said: 'We were aware of a number of incidents in previous years of flags being removed and the concerns of local residents of the supplanting of St George's Day over St Piran's.

'On St George's Day 2012 two members of KernowCalling were waiting to see if Bude-Stratton Town Council would hoist the English flag on Shoulder Hill in place of the St Piran's flag that usually flies there.

'Bude-Stratton Town Council do not extend this courtesy to St Andrew or St David's Day, and with this in mind, the KernowCalling members were preparing to remove the English flag if it was flown, and armed with a ladder a St Piran's flag, and the aid of some Bude residents, they waited.'

For the full report, and a round up of the latest area news and sport, please see this week's edition of the 'Post'.