Rival protests in Plymouth city centre on Sunday evening passed off without event, say police. The announcement by the self-titled group Flag Force Plymouth - who describe themselves as "celebrating Plymouth's heritage and bringing our community together through the proud display of our national flags" - promised to see people descending on the Poundland store on Armada Way at 5pm on September 7, with the aim of waving the Union and St George flags.

The group state on their website that the flying of the flags is to "celebrate pride in our country, culture, and values — nothing more, nothing less".

They explain that the group was formed "after seeing councils removing flags and people mislabelling them. We believe it's wrong to tie our national flags to politics".

This is understood to

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