North Yorkshire firm enjoys World Cup flag demand

Staff at a small family-run firm in North Yorkshire are reaping the benefits of World Cup fever.

As fans across England adorn their homes, cars and workplaces with the St George's flag, Flying Colours flagmakers are working overtime.

Andy Ormrod, who owns the Knaresborough company, said nine employees were working late nights and weekends to meet the demand for England flags.

"It's hard work but we are enjoying it, we really are," he said.

"But it doesn't come all the time so we have got to make hay while the sun shines and it is."

Mr Ormrod estimated that the level of orders had increased by 50% in the past two weeks.

"We have never made so many St George's flags in such a short space of time," he said.

The company's range of flags vary from a 6in (15cm) desk-top flag to the largest union jack in the UK, which measures 38ft (11.5m) by 19ft (5.8m) and can be seen flying from Windsor Castle.

Recent orders include 35 St George's flags for a local company and a 25ft (7.6m) by 15ft (4.6m) flag which has been put up on the front of a Harrogate hotel.

Mr Ormrod, 49, said his staff were delighted when their carefully-crafted handiwork appeared on television.

He said: "In South Africa, at the last match in Rustenberg where we drew against the Americans, we actually saw three of our own flags in the stadium which was tremendous, it was lovely to see that.

"It's just great. We made those and they are in South Africa."

Mr Ormrod said he hoped demand would rise further as the tournament progresses.

"Hopefully the euphoria will get behind England and then people will want a piece of the action and be proud to display the St George's flag on their premises," he said.