IT was meant to be a symbol of pride - but a tattered St George's flag has angered passers-by in Huddersfield.

Health chiefs thought they were doing the right thing when they hoisted the flag on an NHS- owned building opposite Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

But it got shabbier and more threadbare by the day.

Local councillor Tony Woodhead said: "It's gradually falling to pieces.

"Every time I pass it a bit more has gone. It's getting smaller and smaller."

The flag was hauled to the top of Acre Mills in Lindley in June during the World Cup.

It replaced an unofficial one which had been put up by patriotic employees without permission from their bosses.

Hospital managers said the home-made effort was "inappropriate" as it was neither the Union Flag nor the official England flag.

Health bosses agreed to take the replacement down yesterday after the complaints about its appearance.

A spokeswoman for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust agreed: "It does look tatty."

She could not say if another one would fly in its place.