FOR the second year, a council leader is determined to fly the St George’s flag in the face of those who say it is racist.

Cllr Jeremy Kite, the leader of Dartford Borough Council, is hoping to boost national pride by giving out 300 free flags to residents, after the success of last year, when 200 were given away within days.

Cllr Kite said: "Last year, I grew immensely frustrated at seeing our national flag being claimed by one political group or another, or being banned because barmy killjoys thought it might offend.

"The cross of St George belongs to no party and no group. It belongs to all of us."

Last year the council made the national headlines when it gave away 200 flags. It was inundated with requests and gave away all the flags in less than a week.

This year, the council has ordered 300 flags which will be available to the first 300 callers to the Civic Centre in Home Gardens, Dartford, from Tuesday, April 17.