Welsh locals furious over Christmas bow on pub

A red Christmas ribbon on a white hotel in Wales has infuriated locals who mistook it for the England flag.

Residents complained to owner Michael Currey that the 18ft decoration looked like St George's Cross, before he added the bow.

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The Englishman, 31, said: "We have had stick about it from some people who thought it was an England flag.

"When we painted the red stripe on we had trouble fixing the bow.

"It looked like the flag, which didn't go down well.

"We are in Wales, after all.

"But now we've managed to fix the bow. It looks very festive. It's sad really, the town council don't do anything Christmassy at the end of town.

"But now people love it and have been having their picture taken with it."

But Monmouthshire County Councillor, Armand Watts, who runs a hairdresser's nearby, complained to officials.

Now the council has ordered Michael to repaint the exterior of the 300-year-old Castle View Hotel in Chepstow by January 8, as it is a listed building in a conservation area.

Michael said: "I understand the conservation people have a role to play but this has all been a bit over the top."