FLAGS will no longer be flown above Clitheroe Library after county council bosses deemed it too dangerous for staff to climb on to the roof.

A health and safety inspection carried out by their staff looked at a number of ways of keeping the flag flying, but it was decided to halt any further activity until a solution could be found.

The decision meant the English flag was absent from above the library in Church Street for the first time on St George's Day yesterday and The Queen's birthday on Saturday.

Head librarian Mary Palmer said: "It is a real shame that we cannot fly the flag any more. This weekend was probably the most notable occasion it was missing.

"The flag is usually put up by our caretaker, who had to scale two ladders and actually climb out on to the roof, which is very steep, and it is often very windy up there.

"Health and safety first visited us last autumn to see if they could come up with other ways of keeping the flag, but it will stay down for the time being."

She added: "The building itself is very old and the caretaker was taking a risk every time he went up there."

County Coun Niki Penney, cabinet member responsible for libraries, said: "It is sad that Health and Safety regulations mean we can no longer raise flags from the roof, but the safety of our library staff must always come first.

"I understand the pride local people feel when flying flags to mark special occasions.

"However, there are other flag poles in the town which are much safer. I want to assure the people of Clitheroe that this decision has not been taken lightly."

Flags will continue to be flown from Clitheroe Castle. There is also another flagpole outside Clitheroe Town Hall, also on Church Street, which is often used.

The existing Clitheroe Library was first opened to the public in 1990 following a £625,000 refurbishment.

Built in 1903, the building was originally used as the Ribble Valley Borough Council and Clitheroe Town Council Mayors' parlours until it was decided to extend from the old Carnegie Library next door into the councils' Moot Hall, as it was known.

A spokesperson for Clitheroe Town Council, which is based opposite the library, said: "The county council approached us over the problems with the flag as it is our Mayor-making ceremony on May 4.

"We asked if they could fly the flag, as it is a special occasion, but we were told that the constant changing of the flags is proving hazardous."