Wrong Britannia: Council forced to apologise after producing Remembrance Day flag with red diagonal crosses in wrong place

Flag makers were left red-faced after producing this Remembrance Day Union Flag which put parts of the design in the wrong place.

The faulty flag was flown above Manchester's Central Library in the city centre on what was meant to be a sombre occasion.

But baffled passers-by noticed that the diagonal crosses on the national emblem had been cut at the wrong point, giving the patriotic design a unique appearance.

Manufacturers are said to have cut the fabric on the flag in the wrong place - while contractors who attached it to a pole didn't spot the error either.

Retired Tony Taylor, 76, from Wilmslow, who noticed the embarrassing blunder, said: 'My reaction was to think it was carelessness if nothing else.

'But it could be argued that it's a disgrace to fly the wrong flag on Remembrance Day.'

The flag, which has since been taken down, was ordered for the Remembrance Day service in St Peter's Square, Manchester, on Sunday.

A council spokesperson said: 'This was clearly a mistake and we apologise. The misprinted flag will be removed and replaced.'