COUNCIL bosses have backed down in a row with an Army volunteer who was told to take down a military flag he was flying in support of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

COUNCIL bosses have backed down in a row with an Army volunteer who was told to take down a military flag he was flying in support of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dave Dingvean, 46, was outraged after discovering flying British Army colours was considered advertising and he would have to take it down.

Council bosses originally warned the demolition contractor that if he failed to comply, he could face enforcement action and end up in court, but reversed their decision yesterday.

Mr Dingvean, from Tolleshunt Major near Maldon, said: “A friend gave it to me and I decided to fly it to support our troops.

“Someone must have seen it and reported me because within two days I had a letter from the council telling me to take it down.

“They said only a certain type of flag is permitted to be flown - any national or state flag is allowed.

“So I can fly the flag of Iraq, Baghdad or Afghanistan but not the army flag. It's ridiculous - it's a show of support.

“It's a cause I feel strongly about.”

Mr Dingvean is a volunteer for the British Army Association and the emotive row comes just days after two more Colchester-based soldiers died whilst serving in Afghanistan.

In protest Mr Dingvean had been flying the national flag of Saudi Arabia, saying he was “flabbergasted” at the rules.

He added: “This is treacherous. It is petty minded - they are not thinking about the troops. No-one in the village has complained to me.”

A Maldon District Council spokesman confirmed that under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements)(England) Regulations 2007, only a certain type of flag as stated by the Department for Communities and Local Government is permitted to be flown.

However, last night it emerged the council had done a U-turn and told Mr Dingvean he could once again fly the flag.