ANGRY Cornish people have vowed to keep flying the flag of St Piran – even though the government has warned they will have to apply for planning permission. Cornwall has not taken kindly to the stance taken by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. The reason given is that the county is not a nation. People are so angry 'at the cheek of it' that extra flags are being run up poles all over the area as an act of defiance. Ever since North Cornwall MP Paul Tyler took on the Minister for Housing and Planning, Keith Hill, this week, asking him to end the 'mind boggling absurdity of flag regulations,' he has had the full backing of the county. 'The Planning Minister has now admitted to me that national flags of whatever country get preferential exemption from planning control,' said Mr Tyler. 'It seems that a loyal citizen of Albania or Zimbabwe, living in Cornwall, would be allowed to raise their national flag on a flagpole without first getting planning consent, but anyone who is proud to be Cornish cannot fly the flag of St Piran. This is absurd.' True Cornishman The St Piran flag was flying from the pole on the Caradon Council headquarters this week, as it always does. Council Leader Ron Overd, who describes himself as a 'true, red blooded Cornishman,' says it will continue to fly until the government tells the council to take it down. Mr Overd said a full meeting of the council resolved in 1995 that the flag of St Piran would be flown on a permanent basis to be replaced only by the Union Flag on specific occasions. 'I would urge every Cornishman around the world, by birth, family related or adoption to raise the flag for Cornwall,' he said. 'The Cornish are very proud of their culture, represented by the flag.' At Looe, former mayor, and a proud Yorkshireman, Wally Scarah, said the ruling was 'absolutely barmy'. The St Piran flag is almost permanently flown from the Guildhall building which houses East Looe Town Trust and the Town Council, and Mr Scarah said he would be happy to be the first Yorkshireman in history to be arrested for flying the Cornish flag. 'Looe is a Cornish town and we are proud to fly the Cornish flag. Nothing will change,' he said. Most people travelling up and down the A38 are used to seeing the St Piran flag flying from the house on the edge of Landrake village, and its owner, 70-year-old Raymond Willis a retired policeman, said he would not be applying for planning permission. 'We will be needing permission to breathe next. This is a load of rubbish. I am a proud Cornishman from Redruth and the flag stays,' he said. At Pillaton Mill, postman David Floyd has been flying the St Piran flag alongside the Irish flag for 30 years. 'I have heard what has been going on and it has prompted me to go and buy a new Cornish flag,' he said.

In Liskeard at the Cornish shop known as Gwyn ha Du, there has been a run on the distinctive black and white flag all week. Manager Paul Dunbar, a life member of Mebyon Kernow, who also has connections with the St Piran Trust, says the flag is the top seller, with sales running into thousands each year, but the demand has increased in the last few days and more stock will have to be ordered. 'I suggest everyone flies the flag. We are a nation whatever the government says. Cornwall was a nation when England was just a pup,' he said.