This follows a Reform councillor calling the removal of Union and St George’s cross flags a “waste of money” after they were replaced on Station Road, Didcot, less than a week after being taken down.

Olly Glover MP described mounting frustration about the situation around Didcot Parkway as he rebutted the claim.

Mr Glover said: “It is great to see our national flags flying from authorised sites such as public buildings and flag poles, and many local households and businesses proudly flew the flag for St George’s Day to celebrate our shared culture and values.

“However, I have recently had flurry of correspondence from people frustrated that despite the best efforts of council and GWR contractors to remove flags from around Didcot station, that the flags have been replaced.  

“It is right that councils take down flags attached illegally to public property without council permission and take legal action against those responsible.

“It is not a ‘waste of money’ to enforce the law.

“The cost of removing flags, or anything else, attached to public property without permission, should be paid for by those responsible for putting them up – not the tax payer”

When flags were replaced on Station Road last week by a Raise the Colours group, more were added in other locations, including Saxton Road in Abingdon, and in Shillingford, Benson and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

The movement says it is placing flags around the county in the name of patriotism, but it has attracted criticism with allegations of intimidation and threatening behaviour from some members towards the public and council staff.

Last month, the county council issued a formal legal notice to Raise the Colours Oxfordshire in a bid to prevent it from putting up more flags.

Didcot South county councillor Hao Do (Reform) said the legal notice was “ludicrous”.

County councillor for Didcot South Hao Do (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

He added: “These are not prohibited flags and it’s a waste of money for the council to take them down – they should be left in place – these are our national flags – they are not offensive.”

A spokesperson for Raise the Colours Oxfordshire said: “Raise the Colours Oxfordshire are a part of a wider nationwide movement that wishes to peacefully raise the concerns of the British people who are increasingly made to feel like second class citizens in their own country.

“Our aims are to highlight their concerns, whilst spreading joy and unity through the flags of our nation.”

Previously, a county council spokesman said the local authority was aware of the flags in Didcot, Benson, Shillingford and Abingdon.

They stated: “In March we issued a formal legal notice to Raise the Colours requiring them to stop placing flags on or near highways without consent.

“We are considering all available options to prevent further unauthorised action, which will include, but not limited to, civil and criminal proceedings.”

What do you think about the raising and removal of Union and St George’s cross flags in communities across Oxfordshire?

The water company said a water mains burst just off Sutton Courtenay Lane overnight, with tankers from the company being spotted on site from about 8.30am on Monday (April 27).

Supply was disrupted for businesses and households in the towns and villages near Abingdon, including Sutton Courtenay and Milton, and CofE Primary School in Milton Hill had to close to all students for the day.

READ MORE: Major police presence at Oxford park for emergency incident

Thames Water teams on site found the burst pipe and were working to isolate it by about 9.15am, with some supplies redirected around the network to reduce the impact on homes without running water.

An update issued at about 2pm said customers should have water flowing through their taps again, though this may still be lower pressure than usual.

St Blaise CofE Primary School in Milton Hill had to close for the day (Image: St Blaise Church of England Primary School)

A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “We’re sorry to customers in the OX14 area who were affected by low pressure or a loss of supply following a burst water pipe overnight.

“Our teams have stopped the flow of water from the broken pipe, and we’ve been able to move water around the network to help maintain customer supplies.

READ MORE: Oxford Westgate shoppers left angry over shop closure

“Customers should now have water back through their taps, although some may continue to experience lower pressure than usual.

“Our engineers remain on site carrying out the repair, and we’re continuing to provide support in the area, including bottled water for customers registered on our Priority Services Register.

“We know how disruptive this has been and thank customers for their patience while we work to fully restore supplies.”

Administrators for the fashion accessories chain said that around 1,300 workers will be made redundant as a result.

The move does not affect the retailer’s 356 concessions, including many in Asda stores, and its head office.

It comes after private equity owner Modella Capital hired Kroll to oversee the administration earlier this year.

READ MORE: Huge UK brand collapses leaving Oxford Westgate store empty

A spokesman for Kroll said: “As of April 27, all Claire’s standalone stores in the UK and Ireland have ceased trading.

“All store employees have been advised of redundancy.

“We understand an interested party is in discussion with a number of landlords with a view to taking new leases for some of the sites.”

Three of the casualties came in Oxfordshire, with the Didcot and Witney branches closing alongside the Oxford Westgate store.

READ MORE: UK fashion giants’ stock vanishes as stores close amid administration

Last year, two stores in Banbury, at the Castle Quay Shopping Centre and Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, also permanently shut.

It was confirmed last week (Friday, April 24) that the Claire’s store at the city’s shopping centre would be closing its doors for good over the weekend.

Having had yellow sale signs up for weeks at the shop on the middle floor of the retail location, there were new signs, which stated that only two days remained.

The high street chain was put into administration back in January 2026 alongside The Original Factory Shop (TOFS).