ROVERS fans have chalked up at least one victory over Arsenal this season - after sparking a U-turn on the Emirates Stadium's national flag ban.

Last month the Lancashire Telegraph revealed that Blackburn fans from the Havelock Inn had their St George's Cross flag confiscated when they followed their team to the north London stadium.

National flags had been banned at the stadium since shortly after the Emirates 2006 opening when Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot supporters clashed over a fan waving a Turkish Cypriot flag.

The Havelock fans had been unaware of the ban when they unfurled their 10ft flag, and claim stewards told them it could be seen as racist when they took it away.

Now, for the rest of the season, Arsenal bosses have announced that national flags will decorate the stands again.

A spokesman for Arsenal said: "Arsenal prides itself on inclusiveness with respect to all nationalities, cultural and ethnic groups represented in our diverse fan base.

"We believe that the reintroduction of national flags, if treated responsibly, can allow our fans to celebrate the club's diversity in a safe and enjoyable environment."

Havelock landlord Darren Heggie claimed a victory for the Rovers supporters.

He said: "It must be down to us making a bit of a fuss because no-one seems to have mentioned anything about it for the last couple of years before our complaints.

"It's coming up to St George's Day and it's only right that people should be able to fly their flags.

"We should definitely score one for Blackburn there.

"After we'd been in the paper, Arsenal did post our flag back to us, so we will take great pleasure in flying it at the Emirates next season."