HUNDREDS of people are campaigning for a historic castle to have the Welsh flag flying over it each day.
In just three days more than 400 people have joined a group on the social networking website Facebook campaigning for the Welsh flag to be permanently flown from Flint Castle.
Campaigners say other Welsh castles display the Welsh flag and they want Flint to follow suit.
Delyn MP David Hanson has given his backing to the campaign and has agreed to raise the matter with the appropriate authorities in the hope the campaign can gather pace.
He is calling for the Union Jack as well as the Welsh flag to be flown at the castle in a demonstration of national pride.
Mr Hanson said: “Flint Castle is extremely historic and a great visitor attraction.
“There is great history to the castle. I will be contacting the appropriate authorities about it.
“Hopefully things like this can help attract extra visitors to the castle.
“I believe national flags are flown at other castles and I would be in favour of both the Welsh flag and Union flag being flown at Flint.”
Flint councillor Alex Aldridge has also thrown his backing behind the campaign.
He is suggesting the Welsh flag could be flown alongside the Union flag and European Union flag.
He said: “This is something we have looked at in terms of flags flying in the town and I would be in favour of it.
“As a town we are working hard towards regeneration and we want to promote our heritage as much as possible.
“Flying flags would be good news for the castle. You only have to travel around America to see the pride they have at flying their national flags there.
“I cannot see any reason for not having a flag at the castle.”
The Facebook group, We want the Welsh flag flying over Flint Castle, was set-up by Shane Kinnair and has been met with an immediate positive response, with more than 400 people having signed up since it was created on Saturday.
The site is maintained by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environmental service.
Campaigners are considering launching a petition to help convince Cadw of the benefits of being allowed to fly the Welsh flag at the castle.
Writing on the group’s Facebook page, Mr Kinnair wrote: “I believe the town of Flint and its residents would be in favour of this happening.
“It’s unbelievable we haven’t got our country’s flag on our most historic monument.
“Other castles in North Wales have the honour.”
During the Flint Festival last year, flags were flown at the castle to mark the festivities.
l FLINT Castle was the first of a series of castles built during King Edward I’s campaign to conquer Wales in the late 13th century.
The site is believed to have been chosen for its strategic position in North East Wales.
Its ruins can be viewed by visitors as a tourist attraction.