Cash-strapped councils are being forced to spend thousands cleaning up St George’s Crosses and Union Jacks painted on buildings and landmarks across the country.

A grassroots movement, known as Operation Raise the Colours , has seen flags fixed to lampposts, motorway bridges and roundabouts from Birmingham to London, prompting both support and anger from residents .

The movement has also seen flags painted on public infrastructure including roundabouts and bridges.

Freedom of Information data shared with The i Paper , shows some councils have been forced to spend thousands clearing away graffiti depicting flags. New Feature

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Pablo O’Hana, who works as a political adviser, submitted requests to 383 councils across the UK. Of the 2

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