Accrington Stanley fans have been banned from waving flags in the crowd over health and safety concerns.

The club have banned the use of flags after health and safety officials said flame-retardant certificates were needed to prove flags were not flammable.

Accrington Stanley’s ground safety officer said strict rules meant the certificates were a must.

However, Reds fan and Lancashire Telegraph columnist Stephen Lowe said it was the 'thin end of the wedge'.

He said: “Flags like these make a huge difference at the match and in getting behind the team.

"People are getting fed up”.

Jason Graham, of fan group Stanley Ultras, said: “We need to make flags for certain games quite quickly and don’t see why we should pay to have them fire-proofed.

"What’s next, flame-retardant clothes? It’s totally unnecessary.”

The club’s safety officer Mick Shultz said the issued had been raised by county council officials who saw flares being set off in the recent Newcastle United cup clash.

Mr Shultz said: "The representative said ‘You’ve got two weeks to produce certificates for your flags’. So I’ve had to say no flags.

“I’ve actually been in talks with a firm to sort out new fire=resistant flags.

"Also if the Ultras supply me with a letter of certification for the material they buy, they can bring theirs back in.

“It’s more for health and safety than anything, it’s not to be a killjoy.

"If the flags are being passed over somebody’s head and they catch alight, how many burns are you going to get?"