A FACTORY boss has blasted a thief who stole a Union flag flying at half mast just 20 minutes after it was hoisted.

The flag was flying as a mark of respect to a loyal employee who died suddenly.

Work colleagues decided to raise the flag outside the Oswaldtwistle-based Gaskell Textiles as a tribute to Robert Eccles who had served the company for more than 37 years.

But the flag only stayed up for a matter of minutes after the thief climbed a 9 ft factory wall and stole it in broad daylight.

Operations manager David Rigby said: "It is a very sad day when somebody steals a flag flying at half mast because everybody knows that it is the sign of a bereavement.

"We thought it was the perfect way to show our respect for a lovely man who had worked so hard for the company for the past 37 years. He was a super chap who will be greatly missed by his work colleagues." He added: "The fact that the flag was stolen doesn't matter because it can be replaced but I feel sorry for the family because it is disrespectful to them."

Staff at Gaskell vowed not to be beaten by the thief and a new flag was hoisted in time for the funeral cortege which passed by the Roe Greave Road premises on the way to a service at Accrington Crematorium.

The thief had a change of heart and returned the flag two days after it had been stolen.

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