SUPPORT is growing for the campaign to keep Lowestoft in Suffolk with residents and businesses flying the county's own flag to show their determination.

SUPPORT is growing for the campaign to keep Lowestoft in Suffolk with residents and businesses flying the county's own flag to show their determination.

Formerly known as St Edmund's flag the newly-named “Suffolk Flag” shows the Saint's coat of arms and the cross of Saint George.

It is being used as part of the campaign to oppose the Boundary Committee proposals that would see Lowestoft join the whole of Norfolk to form a new unitary authority.

The large 5ft x 3ft flags, along with smaller table flags and bunting are being sold at Coe's Man's Shop in Bevan Street, Lowestoft.

Manager James Bulstrode said: “A lot of people did not realise just what the Boundary Committee proposals involved.

“With the help of the flags people now realise that Lowestoft would be split from the rest of Suffolk if these proposals get the go-ahead.

“Everyone I have spoken to is against this so it is important that their views are taken into account.”

Mr Bulstrode also attacked the so-called “Yartoft” option that would see a new authority formed by linking Lowestoft with Great Yarmouth.

“I believe Yartoft is only clouding the issue because the area is too small to become a unitary authority. It is a question of whether Lowestoft remains in Suffolk or becomes part of Norfolk,” he said.

Leader of Waveney District Council, Mark Bee, also supported the campaign.

“I believe it is a very good idea to fly the flag to show that we are Suffolk and Proud.

“It is also vital that as many people as possible contact the Boundary Committee during the consultation period so that its members know the strength of feeling of local residents.

“Lowestoft is an important Suffolk town and should continue to be so.”

The Boundary Committee will be accepting views on the draft proposal until September 26, after which it will consider all responses before providing its final advice to the secretary of state on December 31.

To contribute to the review write to: Review Manager (Norfolk and Suffolk), The Boundary Committee, Trevelyan House, 30 Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.

Alternatively e-mail reviews@boundarycommittee.org.uk or fill in an online form at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews/open-consultations/online-submissions

The Journal has two of the large 5ft x 3ft Suffolk flags as prizes thanks to Bill Bulstrode, who sells a wide variety of flags from his shop at of Bridge Road, Framlingham.

Question: Which Suffolk saint has his coat of arms on the Suffolk flag?

Answer ….

Name ….

Address ….

…..

….

Postcode: ….

Daytime telephone number ….

E-mail address …

Your details may be held and used to contact you for promotional purposes.

Send the completed coupon to: Suffolk Flag Competition, The Journal, 147 London Road North, Lowestoft NR32 1NB, no later than noon on Friday, August 22.

Usual Archant terms and conditions apply.