A CLOSE-KNIT community in Bournemouth is fuming after the council removed England flags from a green.

Residents in High Howe Lane put up flags and bunting on their local green – land owned by the council – for a street party for the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations.

They left the flags up for the Euro tournament.

However, residents said they were told on Wednesday the flags would be removed for polling day.

Resident Janet Gibbons said: “These flags had nothing to do with the EU referendum. I think they’ve made an issue where there isn’t one – it’s an overreaction.”

A spokesperson for Bournemouth council did not confirm the reason why the flags were removed, but said: “The flags were reported [Wednesday] and after visiting the location were found to have been left on council property without authorisation.

“They were removed as a result.”