THE chief executive of Bolton Council has vowed lessons will be learned over a gaffe which meant the flag of St George was not flying until lunchtime on St George's Day.

Patriotic Boltonians were fuming when it emerged council workers could not hoist the flag of the Patron Saint of England on Monday because the flag rope was frayed.

It was after midday when a new rope was found and the flag was raised.

Chief executive Sean Harriss said: "This was not good enough and lessons will be learned for next year."

Bolton Council agreed to fly the flag once again this year in a move applauded by campaigners who want St George's Day to be a more prominent event in the English calendar.

It was only the third time in recent history that Bolton Council had agreed to mark St George's Day in this way.

In the past, it has sparked controversy by refusing to fly the flag, saying it was following Government protocol.

The council performed a U-turn in 2005 after facing heavy criticism.