A GREAT-grandad is proudly flying his 50-year-old flag for Remembrance Day after it was removed by the council last month.
Former merchant navy worker Ray Betts, 86, has flown the flag outside his flat for more than half a century — attached to the stump of a cherry blossom tree he used to sit under with late wife Kay.
Five weeks ago he woke up to find it gone and Waltham Forest Council in East London later admitted they had removed it.
But after The Sun contacted the council, Ray was reunited with his flag.
He told The Sun: “I was very upset about the way they did it.
“I’m glad to have it back and they seem to realise I am not part of any movement.
“I was very upset about the way they did it, to come in the early hours and take it away.
“That flag is probably older than the young chap who removed it!
“I am glad to have it back and the community here has been so supportive.
“They’ve got behind me and they are glad to see it back in Kay’s tree.”
Waltham Forest Council said flags were prohibited in communal areas.
They said: “Waltham Forest Council received reports from members of the public regarding several flags that had been recently put up in communal gardens of a local estate.
“It is prohibited to attach flags or displays of any kind in the communal areas of any of our estates – it is perfectly acceptable for residents to display flags like our Union flag or the St George’s cross inside their own homes.
“We are proud to fly the Union flag each and every day outside of the Town Hall.”
