A Lib Dem council has removed a number of England and UK flags from its lampposts after previously vowing it would not 'police people' - blaming the weather.

Shropshire Council took down the St George's and Union flags because they had become 'unsightly' in the wake of Storm Amy.

But its deputy leader had previously said the authority would not stop locals from putting up national flags and that he had 'absolutely no problem with people being patriotic'.

Video captured last week showed council workers in high visibility jackets using a cherry picker to remove flags in Shrewsbury after the storm, which hit the UK with 80mph gusts on October 3 and 4. 

The flags had been placed there and elsewhere in Britain as part of Operation Raise the Colours - a campaign started this summer online that advocates displaying Union and St George's Cross flags in public places. 

A spokesperson for Shropshire Council said: 'Following the impact of Storm Amy, many of the flags recently displayed across the county have become torn, unsightly, or potentially hazardous. 

'Some are at risk of obscuring street signs, street lights, or traffic signals, while others could fall onto the highway if not properly secured.

'To ensure public safety and maintain the appearance of our streets, we’ve begun removing deteriorated or unsecured flags from our street lighting columns. 

'So far, five flags have been taken down on Sundorne Road and one on Mount Pleasant Road in Shrewsbury.'

Deputy leader of the council, Alex Wagner, had told BBC Shropshire that their concerns with the flags were about their 'maintenance'. 

He said: 'A lot of these are clearly made of plastic - I suspect they're not going to withstand much pressure from the elements.

'These might look alright this morning, but in three or six months, I suspect the same people aren't going to be going back around keeping an eye on maintaining them.

'Ultimately, that falls on the public purse.'

The presence of the flags on streets across Shropshire had been criticised by some councillors, particularly the Shrewsbury Green Party.

Councillor Julian Dean had described the flags as part of an 'intimidatory campaign' and called for their removal.

Dean had told the Shropshire Star in the summer: 'Imposing flags along main residential streets in Shrewsbury without consultation or any sort of agreement with communities is anti-democratic.

'Whatever the intentions of those putting up these flags, it is clear that many feel worried and intimidated by their presence.

'Shropshire Council must stand up for those who feel under threat by making it clear that the imposition of flags in this way is not acceptable.' 

So far six flags have been removed on two roads in Shrewsbury - Sundorne Road and Mount Pleasant Road. 

Shropshire Council was contacted for further comment.