A COUNCIL has apologised to patriotic cabbies who were ordered not to fly England flags.

The taxi drivers say they were told by officials from Darlington Borough Council to remove the Cross of St George from their vehicles before last night's Euro 2004 game against Switzerland.

One driver - who asked not to be named - said he was ordered to get rid of the flag when a council officer spotted it on his car at Teesside International Airport.

"I was annoyed because it's a simple little flag," said the 45-year-old.

"I've picked up German and Dutch people from the airport and they haven't been in the least offended."

The council later admitted there was no ban in place and said officials must have got "crossed wires".

A spokesman said: "From the word go, the line from the very top has been 'we are happy for people to fly their flags'.

"I guess the message didn't get through so apologies for that. I'm not denying those conversations with taxi drivers took place.

"We don't allow anything except plates and the sign on the roof. These guys have enforced the rules and not realised that we can relax them on this occasion."

The cabbies' spokesman, George Jenkinson, said: "It's brilliant that the council has backed down. The lads just want to support their team."

However, Hambleton District Council, in North Yorkshire, is sticking to its flag ban for taxis. A spokesman said: "There has been some concern that flags placed on vehicles are a distraction to other road users."