Residents in Torbay, Devon, were disappointed the approximate seven banners had gone from the flagpoles as they were reportedly brand new just last year. Mike Harvey, an Army veteran who lives in the area, said the council may have given in to the "woke" culture, which in recent months has frowned on the display of national flags.

       The services veteran told Devon Live: "I wonder if some ‘woke’ dog has barked at the council, and they’re all sitting behind their desks.

       "There are seven large flagpoles along the pier and the quay at Torquay.

       "The flags of all the UK nations are there, but there is no Union Flag.

       “Last year there were six our eight brand-new Union Flags flying. This year - nothing.”

       The former police officer said communities across the borough agree with his view.

       "People all feel the same way," he said.

       "Last year we were all commenting on them. This year there isn’t a Union Flag to be seen."

       Torbay Council, controlled by Liberal Democrats & Independents, denies being "woke".

       Instead it’s a simple matter of manpower and Royal protocols.

       It said: "In England, any organisation or individual may fly the Union Flag at any time and fly as many of the flags as they choose, subject to planning requirements.

       "Torbay Council limits this to our council buildings to ensure we follow royal protocols for occasions when a Union Flag should be lowered to half mast, such as the death or funeral of a member of the Royal Family.

       "Many of our flagpoles do not have halyards that would allow a flag to be easily lowered to half-mast."