A GIANT Union flag hoisted to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee has been stolen from its pole at an Old Town pub.

The 20ft by 6ft flag, which adorned the front of the Kings Arms, in Wood Street, was discovered to be missing yesterday morning and the pub’s landlords are bemused as to how it happened.

The Arkell’s-owned venue, which has been called the Kings since 1834, is now offering a reward of a meal-for-two for anyone who provides information which leads to the flag’s safe return.

Darren Turner, who noticed it had gone, said it must have been taken overnight while the pub was shut and the cuplrits must have needed a ladder.

He said: “I came in in the morning and noticed it had gone. I know it was there at 11pm on Saturday because I saw it when I finished work.

“I didn’t notice it on Sunday but I think it might have gone overnight because the pub was shut. I was just putting out the plant pots as I do every morning and then I noticed it had gone.

“I don’t know how they managed it – the cable which it was attached to runs through the flagpole and it looks like it has been cut.

“They must have had a ladder to get up there and it cannot be reached from any of the bedrooms, which are being refitted at the moment anyway.

“I don’t know if it’s possibly a prank after St Patrick’s Day or whether it’s a Swindon Town fan and it’ll get passed around Wembley this weekend.”

Mr Turner said he was going to report it to police and he hoped someone would know where the flag had gone.

He said: “We only put it up about four weeks ago to celebrate the Jubilee, seeing as we are the Kings and we’ve got the Royal crest up where the flag went as well.

“While we can see the funny side, it is a bit annoying as it cost a couple of hundred pounds for the flag itself, and then there’s the cost of getting it back up there.”

Anyone with any information should contact the Kings Arms on 01793 522156.