SIR – Surely Mr Flack (September 4) had misunderstood the main point of the previous week s letters about the correct way to attach the Union flag to a flagpole. Of course, as he observes, it will look different depending upon which side you are viewing.

SIR - Surely Mr Flack (September 4) had misunderstood the main point of the previous week's letters about the correct way to attach the Union flag to a flagpole.

Of course, as he observes, it will look different depending upon which side you are viewing. But, either way, the fact still remains that the flag (as my 1953 edition of the Schoolboy's Pocket Book puts it) "is flown correctly when the larger strips of white next to the flagstaff are uppermost" That was clearly not the case in the photograph.

DAVID PERCIVAL

New Close

Knebworth

SIR - With regard to Mr Flack's comments (September 4), I take it he is not aware of the fact that flying the Union flag upside down may be considered a distress signal (if appropriate) or an act of disrespect.

Thus it must be possible to fly the flag upside down. In fact the flag has no back or front. If the two long sides of the flag are considered as top and bottom and the two short sides as hoist and fly and the fact that the flag is asymmetrical in design (the white diagonals being unequal), the flag should be flown (or displayed) with the broad white uppermost on the hoist side and the narrow white uppermost on the fly side. With a flown flag, the attachments to the halliards are different making it difficult to accidentally fly the flag incorrectly. It is usual to depict the flag with the hoist on the left-hand side (one would not expect to see the flag of the USA shown with the stars on the right)!

It is a sad indication of the lack of education and awareness of the British that so many people have no understanding or knowledge of, or pride in our nation's flag.

SUE MARGIOCCHI

The Rally

Arlesey

SIR - The letter from Philip Flack, Brandles Road, Letchworth (page 19 of The Comet, September 4) indicating it is impossible to fly the flag upside down is making an incorrect statement.

Yes, it looks the same 'back and front'.

However there is a 'flag pole' end and a 'free wind blown' end and at the flag pole end the broader white stripe of the St Andrews cross should always be uppermost.

Otherwise the flag is displaying the distress sign as it was in the photo of Victoria Pendleton's family - thankfully it was not the case regarding Victoria's win.

Please ensure your photographer gets the small details right. Also put Mr Flack right as to the correct way the flag is flown (thank goodness the Chinese got it right).

ALLAN DUNSMORE

By email