THE FLAGS were finally raised at the weekend in Caldicot marking the end of a year-long battle.

Two sides of the town had been poles apart over whether a Union flag should be placed alongside the Welsh dragon flag outside the town council’s headquarters.

But now former soldier and Conservative councillor Mike Rice has gained victory as he watched the British flag being hoisted outside the day luncheon centre in Sandy Lane.

Mr Rice, events chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, first started the battle for the additional flag back in January 2008 due to his views that everyone should be represented.

Problems came though when the then Plaid Cymru controlled council said an extra flag and flagpole would be too costly.

But, after months of petitioning and a political reorganisation in May when Labour gained control of the council, permission was finally granted in September for three separate flagpoles and three different flags. These flags would be the Welsh dragon flag, the Union flag and the European flag.

Although the European flag has not yet been raised, the Union flag was finally hoisted after planning and recent weather conditions had prevented the event from happening earlier.

Mr Rice, who served as a corporal with the Welsh Regiment for five years during the 1960s, said: “I am very pleased that we have finally achieved what we set out to do. I am only disappointed it did not happen sooner but my thanks go to the Labour council group.

“I served in the forces and my 22-year-old grandson James Farrant is also currently serving with the troops in Afghanistan. All the men out there are fighting for Britain and we are all British. We should therefore fly the British flag.”

Mr Rice now hopes the European flag will also be raised later on in the year.

The flag pole cost around £500 and was funded by members of the Chamber of Commerce.