by Ruby Cline, Telegraph
Legal action comes as many football fans fly national colours in support of England’s World Cup campaign
Oxfordshire county council has launched a legal battle to ban raising Union Flags in the street.
The Liberal Democrat-led authority has applied for a High Court injunction to stop people placing the flags on or near public highways.
If the injunction succeeds, anyone who puts up flags near roads in the area could face up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
St George’s Crosses and Union Flags have become a regular sight on lamp posts across the country since the Raise the Colours campaign took off on social media last summer.
Councils have removed flags and painted over St George’s Cross markings on roundabouts, attracting criticism.
England’s World Cup campaign kicked off on Wednesday night, with many football fans choosing to fly the flag in support.
Oxfordshire council has become the first to announce it is seeking an injunction against four individuals to prohibit them from erecting flags near highways. It will also apply to other members of the public who put up flags near roads.