A patriotic village is believed to be the first in Britain to mark the death of every resident by flying a flag at half mast.

Residents from Burham, will be honoured by the lowering of the Union flag above the village war memorial on the day of their funeral.

The half-mast gesture is on behalf of Burham Parish Council in an attempt to make the most of its new flagpole, which was installed to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The ceremony has already been carried out to salute the passing of one villager, who died earlier this year.

All of Burham’s 1,300 will now have access to the same honour, providing prior notice is given in writing.

Roger Dalton, parish council chairman, said: "The Union flag flies all the time in Burham, but on the day of a funeral and at the request of a family member, we will lower it.

"Requests will have to be made in writing to the parish clerk in advance of the funeral.

"People won’t be able to pick up the phone on the day itself and ask for it to be lowered."

Mr Dalton said he was unaware of any other parish council offering a similar service.

He added: "It doesn’t matter where the funeral is taking place, but we’d like to think the deceased will be a resident of Burham."