Drivers can still fly flag for Britain

Draconian new rules threatening fines of £1,000 for drivers failing to show the EU flag on their car number plates were officially ditched by the Government today.

Motoring groups reacted angrily when the ruling - which would also have resulted in MoT failures for drivers flying any national symbol other than the EU's 12 golden stars - were announced last April.

The Brussels-inspired regulation sparked outrage from patriotic car owners who would have been breaking the law for displaying the Union Jack, the St George's Cross, the Scottish Saltire, the Welsh Dragon or even a Rastafarian flag instead of the stars.

Following a review, Transport Minister John Spellar today announced that British drivers would be able to display national flags and symbols, after all. He said: "We did have initial concerns about the ability of enforcement cameras to read the number plates but these concerns have been overcome through enhanced technology."

Drivers will now be able to display their national flag on the left hand side of their number plates - the area that had been set aside for the voluntary display of the Euro symbol. Those who decide to fly their national flag instead of the golden stars will be obliged to display a separate GB sticker when travelling outside the UK.