Council flies the flag for Ashes

TO MARK England’s first Ashes win away from home for 24 years the council will raise the flag of St George on its headquarters.

And council chiefs hope England’s cricketing success in Sydney - where the team beat Australia 3-1 - will encourage local youngsters to take up the sport.

Council Leader Liam Smith said: “Andrew Strauss and his team have done us proud. I am delighted that Essex batsman Alistair Cook was on the front foot of this fantastic victory.

“I hope that the English team’s success will have a spin-off effect here in our borough and that it encourages local youngsters to take up the sport and they join one of our excellent local cricket clubs.

“Participation in sport is something that the council is keen to encourage, not just with the Olympics round the corner. Hopefully this famous victory will have a positive sporting dividend in Barking and Dagenham.”

The flag will be raised on the Dagenham Civic Centre and on Barking Town Hall.