Local residents furious after council BANS England flags ahead of World Cup clash: 'It is a JOKE!'

Residents of a Northwich street have been left furious after Cheshire West Council ordered them to take down their England flags just days before the Three Lions' crucial World Cup semi-final clash.

The Labour minority-run authority has demanded that householders on Church Road remove their patriotic displays ahead of Wednesday's showdown with Argentina.

Not a single resident on the flag-adorned street supports the council's decision.

The road is currently decorated with Union flags and the Cross of St George, put up when the tournament began last month.

Locals have branded the council "killjoy" bureaucrats, arguing officials should focus their attention on more pressing matters rather than dampening national spirit during England's best World Cup run in decades.

Thomas Tuchel's squad will take on the reigning world champions at Atlanta's 75,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with football's ultimate prize tantalisingly close.

England secured their place in the last four following Jude Bellingham's stunning double, which powered a remarkable comeback victory over Erling Haaland's Norway in Miami on Saturday.

Argentina progressed through extra time in their quarter-final encounter, defeating Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas just hours later.

Should England overcome Lionel Messi and his teammates, they would face either France or Spain in the final.

An estimated 25 million supporters across the nation are expected to tune in to BBC One coverage, watching from pubs and living rooms alike.

The final is just one week away.

Local hairdressers Ashley Arnold, 32, and Kirstie Jackson, 33, expressed disbelief at the council's stance.

"The flags went up last month at the start of the tournament. It's only another week until the World Cup final why make a fuss about it," said Arnold. "It's good to be patriotic in the USA they fly their flags everywhere. The boys have been brilliant and we should all be right behind them."

Jackson added: "Why shouldn't people be allowed to support their national team and proud of their country."

Retired electrical technician Steve Kania, 71, who witnessed England's 1966 triumph, was equally unimpressed.

"The council really ought to be occupying their tiny minds with some much more important things," he said.

Baker Ian Jones, 59, accused officials of attempting to spoil the nation's World Cup journey.

"The council should put their minds and time into solving important problems what about sorting all the potholes," he said.

Church Road resident Chris Phillips, 76, a retired transport manager who has been flying the Cross of St George from his bedroom window since the tournament began, dismissed the council's actions as farcical.

"It is really a bit of a joke what the council are doing. The flags are causing no harm or offence to anyone," he said. "Surely our council needs to get its priorities right and removing England flags during a World Cup when the team are doing so well shouldn't ever be on any to do list. They are making themselves a laughing stock."

Retired teacher Phyllis Charnock, also of Church Road, branded the objections "utter nonsense."

Bricklayer Kyle Benson, 20, urged the council to "leave the flags and get behind our boys."

Afsor Chowdhery, 58, of the Northwich Muslim Centre, offered his backing: "We all definitely want England to win, so all shows of support are important."

The council's letter to residents referenced the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and the Highways Act 1980 as legal justification for the removal order.

In its statement, Cheshire West Council acknowledged that England flags represent "an important symbol of national identity, unity, and respect" and noted they were being flown from public buildings throughout the town.

However, the authority maintained its position on privately displayed flags attached to public infrastructure.

"The unauthorised fixing of flags to streetlights, road signs, or other highway infrastructure is unlawful and unacceptable," the council stated. "It creates avoidable risks to public safety, including hazards for drivers and pedestrians, and places council operatives at risk when required to remove them."

Officials claimed flags had already fallen onto vehicles and obscured road signage in the area.

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